I have fond memories of tasting with fellow Arsenal supporter Chris Figgins. Figgins loves food and wine and we always manage to get a soccer conversation in — or two. He is finishing his incredible caves project at the FIGGINS estate vineyard which is going to be a sight to be seen and is a lifelong dream for this talented winemaker.
Leonetti has always been a highly traditional winery, making several wines each year and not branching out to new projects. They now have an amazing single vineyard project is a great chance for Chris to enter another element as a winemaker and the end results are extraordinary. He is also making Aglianico now for several years which is one of the unique wines made in our state. This is a tannic, rustic bottling that is a must-try for any lover of Washington wines or Italian wines.
A few days ago I had the chance to open the new lineup of Leonetti wines and I tasted each wine over several days to check on their evolution. A total stunner and unique bottling made in Washington, I love the new 2018 Leonetti Cellar Aglianico (OB, 96) which is amongst the finest wines of its kind that you will taste in North America. In a similar vein, you would be hard-pressed to try a finer Sangiovese bottling than the incredible 2021 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese (OB, 95) which is already beautifully evolved and is a masterful effort. Arguably the finest wine ever made at Leonetti Cellar, the 2021 Leonetti Cellar ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 99) flirts with perfection in a bottle. A wine with massive cellaring potential this beauty really needs a few more years of bottle age. Learn more about these stunning new wines at http://leonetticellar.com/ Here are my reviews of the beautiful new Leonetti Cellar wines.
2021 Leonetti Sangiovese- A masterful effort in this slightly cooler vintage, the 2021 Leonetti Sangiovese isa 100% varietal wine that was stored for 22 months in new and once-filled French oak barrels and neutral oval Botti prior to bottling. Sourced from the Holy Roller, Loess, Seven Hills and Mill Creek Upland Vineyards, this opens with a dazzling bouquet of rose petals, old leather and wet rock alongside red currants and shades of menthol. The palate is silky smooth and refined with a seamless texture and weightless profile. Showing good richness from this warm vintage, the 2021 Leonetti Sangiovese is really inviting to consume even now in its bright youth. Give this an hour in the decanter before enjoying. Drink 2024-2039- 95
2022 Leonetti Merlot- The 2022 Leoentti Merlot is a brilliant, cool vintage wine that really needs an hour of air upon opening. Also 100% varietal in this vintage, the Merlot was sourced from the Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Leonetti Old Block Vineyards. Chocolate covered dark cherry and cigar box notes mark the nose alongside Arabica bean and shades of Chinese black tea. The palate is smooth and silky, with excellent concentration. With each sip the pillowy texture caresses you, as this is brimming with rich red licorice, boysenberry, roasted dates, black tea and exotic spice flavors. The sense of balance is exquisite as this fantastic new bottling will show well over the next two decades. An hour of air is going to do this wine wonders. Drink 2024-2044- 95
2021 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon- Delicious, decadent and a world-class effort, the 2021 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon is amongst the finest bottlings of its kind that I can recall over the past twenty years — for my palate rivaling only the 2018. Ironically this 2021, along with the 2018 are both 81% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise, black currant jelly, wet stone and shades of huckleberry all mark the nose. The palate is refined and seamless throughout the drinking experience. While obviously black fruit-driven, right now the light green herbal tones from the larger portion of the Petit Verdot are beautifully melding together with the core of rich blackberry and black cherry alongside dark chocolate shavings and graphite. Showing a fantastic combination of weight, length and underlying finesse, this beauty will live on for another two plus decades. Just don’t open for at least another year as this stunner showed best on day 2 and 3. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2025-2050- 97
2021 Leonetti ‘Reserve’ Red Wine- A massive, blockbuster release that delivers an Oscar-worthy performance, the 2021 Leonetti ‘Reserve’ is amongst the finest wines that I have ever tasted from this estate — every bit up there with the scintillating 2018 bottling. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot this exudes class on the nose with black currant cordial, scorched earth, sweet pipe tobacco, fresh sage and suggestions of Black Forest cake. The highly complex and heady aromatics are a joy to take in. The palate is rich and viscous with serious power and fantastic verve. A total heavyhitter, the 2021 ‘Reserve’ is nowhere near ready and will really benefit from another three plus years of bottle age. Please be patient with this incredible wine. Drink 2027-2055- 99
2018 Leonetti Aglianico- This is now the second time that I have tasted this truly novel 2018 Aglianico bottling. There isn’t a wine that is quite like this in North America. 100% varietal, this saw extended age for 44 months in terracotta amphorae, and new and neutral French oak barrels prior to bottling. Coming from the Serra Pedace Vineyard, this offers damp earth, cranberry and red currant notes on the nose with tobacco leaf accents. The palate shows rustic tannins that line a ripe core of red and dark fruit flavors, alongside wintergreen, flint and shades of wild blackberry. Give this outstanding wine another year in the bottle. Drink 2025-2044- 96