I always get geared up when I am sent brand new wines from a brand new winery. Laine Pauk and Drew Pauk recently founded Moonbase Cellars to produce a range of red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. This Walla Walla winery largely sources from Rocks District sites.
Originally from St. Louis, Laine and Drew each pursued careers in their respective fields – Drew in business management, Laine as a pharmacist. As time went on, they developed a passion for wine that took them to famous vineyards both at home and abroad. Drew obtained multiple wine certifications, including Certified Specialist in Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) from the Society of Wine Educators, and Certified Sommelier (CS) from the Guild of Master Sommeliers. They first visited Eastern Washington in 2016 and were enamored by the land. One year later they moved to Walla Walla and founded Moonbase in 2019. Drew worked with and learned winemaking via WWCC Enology and Viticulture program along with many vintages at Saviah learning from Richard Funk. Richard sells a range of estate fruit to Drew for his wines.
The new wines were outstanding across the board. I love the new 2021 Moonbase ‘The LGM’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is fresh and shows good concentration with great flavor range. The best wine I tasted was the incredible 2021 Moonbase ‘The Funk Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which beautifully showcases this very special vineyard in the Rocks District. Check out more at moonbasecellars.com and here are my reviews of the new wines from Moonbase Cellars.
2021 Moonbase Viognier- Coming form the esteemed Les Collines Vineyard, this comes off very smooth and soft on the mouth, this delivers plenty of texture and weight, with outstanding length. Crushed wet rock tones combine with cantaloupe, nectarine skin and shades of key lime on the palate. Well-balanced and elegant, this is drinking beautifully in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 Moon Lapse Red Wine- The 2021 Moon Lapse offers a smooth texture with ripe red currants, black olives, and blackberry flavors on the palate, with flinty undertones. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 90
2021 Moonbase Mourvedre- Th 2021 Moonbase Mourvedrewas sourced from the famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. This is smoky and soft, with a generous mouthfeel and plenty of texture alongside mouth-watering acidity. Red raspberry and black plum flavors mingle well with scorched earth, tar and smoked meats on the palate. Only 71 cases made. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Moonbase ‘The LGM’ Red Wine- This GSM inspired blend comes from very different sites — the Riviere Galet, Les Collines and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards. Stored in neutral oak barrels, the rocking stony character really shines here, as wet stone and Yakima cherry fruits combine with bacon fat, dried herbs and shades of creosote all parade on the palate. This is seriously good, as you can see each varietal working in unison like a Swiss-made watch. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2021 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah was stored for 18 months in al neutral oak prior to bottling. This is dusty, earthy and concentrated Syrah that beautifully showcases this site. Dried sage and thyme combine with suggestions of wet stone, anise and cassis flavors. Very complex and delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this site in the Walla Walla Rocks District, the 2021 ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Syrah offers Umami and green olives on the palate that collide with wet gravel, juicy blackberry and shades of tar. Smooth and round on the mouth, this is really nicely evolved already. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase ‘Funk Vineyard’ Syrah- The acclaimed ‘Funk Vineyard’ was planted and created by iconic winemaker Richard Funk of Saviah. This 2021 Syrah from the Rocks District is very salty and savory with a smooth mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering acidity, this is an outstanding example from this site. Nori and rich dark fruit flavors combine with milk chocolate, smoked brisket and shades of smoldering stones on the palate. A total knockout, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2021 Moonbase ‘Riviere Galet Vineyard’ Tempranillo- Only 78 cases made of this awesome new 2021Tempranillo that was sourced from the Walla Walla Rocks District. Hoisin sauce, worn leather and smoked meats all brilliantly combine with a silky texture on the palate. Very stony and savory, with loads of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase ‘Max Q’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Max Q’ red wine combines Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) with equal parts Merlot and Syrah. Smooth and silky on the mouth, this delivers rich dark fruit flavors with chocolate, coffee grounds, seaweed and suggestions of baking spices on the palate. Showing good length and depth, this is beautifully done stuff that will drink well for another eight plus years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase Merlot- The 2021 Moonbase Merlot comes from the Winesap Vineyard which is located in the Walla Walla Rocks District. Nicely balanced and poised, this shows off a smooth texture. Layers of boysenberry and roasted fig fruits combine with salty and stony accents on the palate. The flavor density is seriously good, as this is best consumed now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Moonbase Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Moonbase Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard. Nicely structured, this offers medium-bodied dark fruit flavors alongside good tension and length. Nicely done, this is already well-evolved stuff to savor now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 92