It was many year back when I fondly recall visiting Red Mountain for the first time. Fidelitas had just built their modern tasting room and I chatted with Charlie Hoppes as he poured his latest wines. A longstanding history in Washington wine, Charlie Hoppes served as former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. After some time, Hoppes wanted to start his own project. Hoppes finally decided to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets.
2020 was a more than challenging vintage in Washington State. However, there were great wines made this year, and the wines by Fidelitas come off very clean. They are not to be missed. Check out the brilliant new These are wines that are packed with power but show more restraint than the 2018 bottling. Check out the 2019 Fidelitas ’Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is dense and chewy, really needing about an hour in the decanter. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2021 Fidelitas ‘M100’ Red Wine- This is dense and rich considering its entry level status. The 2021 ‘M100’ displays nice garrigue undercurrents alongside a ripe core of black fruit flavors, with chocolate notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 90
2020 Fidelitas ‘Optu’ Red WIne- This version of Optu has a high percentage of Merlot (20%) blended in. It is very round and smooth on the approach with milk chocolate covered black raspberry, blackberry and coffee ground flavors. Medium-bodied and showing good finesse, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Very floral and perfumed on the nose, the 2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc displays pretty red rose petal notes alongside dark currants and tobacco leaf. The palate is plush and full of bright acidity and a smooth texture. Delicious now, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Petit Verdot- Wonderfully vegetal and showing gobs of non-fruit character, the delicious 2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Petit Verdot offers tar, worn leather and sandalwood notes on the palate with dried herbs and shades of green bell pepper. Dense and chewy, with good underlying finesse, this beauty will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031-93
2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Merlot- This 100% Merlot bottling is dark in the glass, displaying a smooth mouthfeel upon approach. Cassis and anise notes combine with dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an awesome showing in a tough vintage. Once on the nose this takes on layers of anise, pipe tobacco and dense dark chocolate notes alongside wild blackberry. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins that frame a core of generous dark fruits, sage and chocolate. This is a joy to drink right now. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2020 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Red Wine- Mainly Merlot (60%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Cabernet Franc (8%), this offers a smooth texture on the mouth. Copious red and dark fruits parade with espresso bean and scorched earthy notes on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2019 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This Red Mountain Cabernet saw extended barrel aging. It is dense and chewy despite the coolness of the vintage. Everything is in harmony here with the tertiary notes rocking alongside medium to full-bodied huckleberry and black cherry flavors. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Fidelitas ‘Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from this esteemed spot on Red Mountain, the 2020 Fidelitas ‘Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows tar and Turkish coffee notes with scorched earth and dense dark fruits on the palate. Don’t pop and pour this beauty as it is tannic and heady —this intense wine really needs a few hours in the decanter to get going. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2020 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Malbec- Very inky in the glass, the 2020 Fidelitas ‘Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Malbec is dense and chewy on the mouth. Concentrated Welches grape juice, blueberry compote, mocha, creosote and salty soils all combine on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2023-2030- 94