Wines with value connect with you. I have always loved the great value wines that Washington has the potential to produce. 20 years ago this started with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest but others have emerged to craft wines that give you some serious bang for the buck. Gård Vintners has exuded value for many years now. This house was one of the pivotal houses in getting this new Royal Slope AVA named. Gård was founded by brothers Sandy and John Lawrence, who have farmed the Royal Slope for more than 50 years, along with John’s son Josh, who joined the operation in 2002. The winery is managed by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations. Josh and Lisa are some of the nicest people in the wine business.
For years Gård Vintners relied on winemaker Aryn Morell and they have hired a new winemaker Matías Kúsulas of Chile who has taken over as head winemaker and viticutlurist for Gård Vintners and Desert Wind Winery. The new lineupr Gård Vintners its outstanding, as it was last year as well. I adored the 2022 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose (OB, 92) which is lively and rich, showing a touch more tension than the ’21 bottling. Learn more about these great wines at gardvintners.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gård Vintners.
2022 Gard Franc Blanc White Wine- This is a new wine by Gard. The 2022 Franc Blanc comes from Cabernet Franc vines from the Stoneridge Vineyard. Stored in stainless steel, this offers good richness with cashew nut, pear, and strawberry flavors alongside a soft mouthfeel on the palate. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 Gard Muscadelle- This is a new wine for their portfolio which comes from the Connor Lee Vineyard. Stored for 16 months in 50% new French oak, this offers gardenia and star jasmine notes on the nose alongside peach, and shades of honeydew melon. Tension, mouthfeel and bright acidity greet you on the palate, as this is absolutely incredible to enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2021 Gard Albarino- Coming from the Lawrence Vineyard, this limited production (90 cases) wine offers honeysuckle, pear and cantaloupe notes on the nose. The palate is very concentrated and fresh with excellent tension holding this smooth-textured Albarino together. Enjoy now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2022 Gard ‘Freyja’ White Wine- This edition of the Rhone-inspired ‘Freyja’ has 4% Muscadelle blended in and is mainly Viognier (74%). Showing good nerve, this offers white peach and pink grapefruit flavors alongside good minerality and salty tones on the palate. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Rose- This new edition of the Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose is 100% Grenache sourced from the Corfu Crossing Vineyard. Nicely textured, this shows excellent weight with very pretty guava and cranberry fruit flavors, with Mandarin orange water notes. Fantastic now, enjoy over the next five plus years and don’t serve too cold! Drink 2023-2028- 92
2019 Gard ‘The Don’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A great value Cabernet Sauvignon from the Royal Slope AVA, the 2019 ‘The Don’ offers medium bodied kirsch and milk chocolate notes on the palate, with herbal accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 90