My ears picked up several years back when talking with Dossier co-founder Tim Lenihan. “Sidney and I have been thinking of starting a winery” he said. I thought to myself that this project would have massive potential. This brand has quite frankly taken the Washington wine scene by storm since its inception.
Dossier holds incredible events at top spots in Seattle like The Nest rooftop bar at the Thompson Hotel. It took some time but former NFL star Sidney Rice and businessman and fellow Whitman grad Tim Lenihan finally got the nerve to start their own winery. They are also working on a brand new and modern tasting room in Walla Walla that I am really excited to check out. Look for that spot to open in a month or so. It has been more than a decade since I have enjoyed the great wines made by master of wine, Billo Naravane. Naravane makes the beautiful wines of Rasa Vineyards. Each bottling has incredible intension and attention to detail. Longtime Washington wine industry veteran Brandon Kubrock serves as general manager, formerly owning his own Ardor Cellars label.
Naravane has his best releases yet for fall 2022. The 2021 Dossier Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) is best wine from this house that I have tasted yet. Sultry and rich with layers of head dark fruits, this beauty will live on for another two decades. Learn more about this exciting new project at dossierwine.com and here are my reviews of the new Dossier wines.
2022 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc was stored in a combination of new and used French oak, stainless steel and concrete eggs.This saw monthly battonage which heavily contributed to the outstanding mouthfeel. Mostly coming from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this offers nutmeg dusted brioche tones alongside banana, and lime zest. The palate is round and generous with a silky mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2023-2039-93
2021 Dossier Red Blend- A downright killer value, the 2021 Red Blend combines 36% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Stored in 40% new French oak barrels, this offers tobacco leaf, red bell pepper, anise and black currant flavors that combine with hints of espresso grounds. Very approachable and soft on the mouth, with a generous mouthfeel, this is gorgeous stuff that is already drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2021 Dossier ‘Flagship’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Dossier ‘Flagship’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine that mostly comes from the Ciel du Cheval and Summit View vineyards. Stored in 60% new French oak for 22 months, this offers incredibly complex aromatics of espresso grounds, mocha, tar and Asian spices with creme de violette. The palate is tannic and massive, showing very broad shoulders, with Turkish coffee and scorched earthy notes alongside a massive core of black and blue fruit flavors. Totally stunning and delicious, this has some serious aging potential, as this will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2024-2040- 96
2021 Dossier ‘Flagship Index’ Red Wine- The ‘Flagship Index’ is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller portions Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that was stored in 65% new French oak for 21 months before bottle. The nose is incredibly complex with anise and black currant notes alongside milk chocolate notes. The palate is soft and ripe with silky tannins that combine with the gorgeous core of black forest cake, coffee grounds, graphite and sandalwood notes. Powerful and showing good verve, this beauty will cellar well for another twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95