Today we share one of the electric wine brands of the Pacific Northwest. WeatherEye Vineyard is the brainchild of Cameron Myhrvold, longtime advocate for the Washington Wine Industry who in 2004 purchased this property based on an idea to grow grapes where no one had attempted before — on the top and north face of Red Mountain. Today most of the fruit is sold to 10 different wineries and a small portion is held back for WeatherEye Vineyard. The site is farmed by Ryan Johnson former vineyard manager at Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Ryan also co-founded the Force Majeure Vineyard and has unparalleled knowledge of Red Mountain’s upper slopes. With WeatherEye he utilized eve4rything in his 20 years of vineyard management experience to create a vineyard space that is unlike anything in the Pacific Northwest.
Winemaker Todd Alexander needs no introduction, formerly with Bryant Family before transforming the Force Majeure Vineyards program. Sitting with Todd and tasting the new WeatherEye wines he was extremely excited about the new wines from the 2021 vintage — one that showed good warmth but also maintained excellent freshness. I am enamored by the new 2021 WeathereEye Vineyard Roussanne (OB, 97) which is amongst the finest renditions of this varietal that you will find on the west coast. Rich, layered and polished with an unctuous texture, this beauty is absolutely singing right now. A totally stunning new wine is the 2020 WeatherEye Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) which is one of the best wines made this vintage. Decadent and chewy with beautiful structure and flavor density, this beauty really needs about an hour in the decanter prior to savoring. Learn more about this famed property at https://www.weathereyevineyard.com/ and here are my reviews of the new WeatherEye Vineyard wines.
2021 WeatherEye Vineyard Clairette- The 2021 Clairette was stored in all neutral oak barrels for 15 months. This comes off very nutty with roasted Macadamia nut alongside white peach and Japanese pear with light baking spice notes. The palate comes off wonderfully salty from this unique high-elevation terroir, with loads of mouth-watering acidity. This is world-class stuff. Only 50 cases made. Drink 2023-2031- 95
2021 WeatherEye Roussanne- Stored in neural oak as well as sandstone amphorae, the 2021 Roussane shows cantaloupe alongside star jasmine, nectarine and kiwi notes with pastry crust accents. The palate is seamless and silky as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Rich and viscous with bright underlying acidity, this is simply sumptuous stuff that will cellar easily for another ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 97
2021 WeatherEye Vineyard Marsanne- This 2021 Marsanne comes from a well-shaded block on the south side of the vineyard. The wine was destemmed and sat on the skins for seven days and then was placed in barrel to finish its fermentation. The palate is plush and seamless with plenty of rich orchard fruits and nutty flavors. Showing amazing weight and length, this is absolutely stunning wine to enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 97
2021 WeatherEye ‘l’Atomique’ White Wine- This sat on the skins to dryness and combines mostly Viognier and Roussane, with smaller parts Clairette, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. The color is extremely intense, as is the nose which displays heady kiwi, kumquat and hazelnut tones, alongside baking spices. This is relatively high-alcohol but comes off very fresh. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 96
2021 WeatherEye ‘Hillfighter’ Roussanne- This was stored in neutral oak for 15 months before bottling. The palate is soft and round with a refined texture. Papaya and peaches combine with nutty undertones on the palate. This is outstanding stuff for the price. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2020 WeatherEye Vineyard Grenache- This 2020 Grenache comes from vines that neighbor copious sagebrush. This was stored in neutral puncheons for 19 months before bottling. This is extremely perfumed on the nose with red rose petals, Mandarin orange rind, white pepper and shades of beef drippings. The palate is rich and concentrated with bright underlying acidity. Clean and dense, showing beautiful finesse. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2020 WeatherEye Vineyard Mourvedre- This wine comes from the northern part of the hill, as the Mourvèdre underwent 30% whole cluster fermentation and then was stored in neutral puncheons for 19 months prior to bottling. This comes off very savory with bacon fat, garrigue, iron, beef drippings, white pepper dusted bacon and black currants on the palate. The palate is very fresh and polished with a soft mouthfeel and wonderful love of finesse. This is just starting to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2031- 96
2020 WeatherEye Vineyard Syrah- Coming from the northern slope of this vineyard which is set on sandy loam over fractured basalt, this 2020 Syrah shows off yarrow, kirsch cordial, wild blackberry and shades of wet stone. The aromatic range is insanely good. The wine shows beautiful balance and weight on the palate, with immense underlying finesse and a stony, citrus and black fruit core. This is delicious, immensely complex wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2023-2031- 98
2020 WeatherEye Tempranillo- This 2020 Tempranillo was stored for 22 months in all neutral French oak before bottling. The palate is very concentrated and deep with immense texture and finesse. Boysenberry and crushed mint flavors combine with bulls blood and stony undertones. This is insanely good wine that has brilliant complexity and is irresistible to consume right now. Drink 2023-2031- 96
2020 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon- Juicy, bright and a total knockout, the 2020 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from from three different sites in the WeatherEye Vineyard. Stored in 70% new French oak before bottling, this delivers fantastic freshness and balance, with deep concentration. Iron and black currant cordial with violets, alongside firm tannins and shades of Black Forest Cake all brilliantly combine on the palate. Plush and soft, showing beautiful refinement, this is just an infant right now so be sure to give this two hours in the decanter before consuming. Drink 2023-2033- 98
2020 WeatherEye Vineyard ‘Hillfighter’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Hillfighter’ combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache with smaller portions Merlot, Tempranillo and Syrah. This shows milk chocolate notes on the nose alongside rich dark fruits, tobacco leaf and scorched earth notes. The palate is fresh and viscous with a soft mouthfeel and good verve. Drink 2023-2029- 93