There is something special about the great values that can be found in Washington State. 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.
Matías Kúsulas of Chile has served as head winemaker since 2021. He is formerly assistant winemaker with Aryn Morrell and he is an incredible talent that possesses three masters degrees. A former Marine, I don’t think you will find a winemaker in better physical shape than Matias. I spent three hours with Matias tasting his wines and seeing the evolution at Gard. The wines that I tasted are the finest yet from this house. They now have a great entry level brand called Slope Life and also a brand that focuses on skin-contact natural wines, Contact. Both brands are electric and have already performed remarkably well in sales.
I love the new Gård Vintners wines.Check out the new 2023 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose (OB, 92) which shows a smooth mouthfeel and offers very pretty red fruits. I am enamored by the 2022 Gard Ice Wine (OB, 95) which has over 200 G/L residual sugar and is a sumptuous, very heady bottling that will surely satisfy any lover of top dessert wine. Learn more about these great wines at gardvintners.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gård Vintners.
2023 Slope Life ‘Golden Hour’ Albarino- The really good 2023 Slope Life ‘Golden Hour’ Albarino was stored entirely in stainless steel before bottling. This is rich and viscous despite the lack of oak treatment, as this had some lees stirring. Right away this opens with honeydew and kiwi flavors that mingle well with cashew nut and green papaya notes. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 92
2023 Slope Life ‘Boots Up’ Rose- Made from Syrah grapes from the Thunderstone Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. This is neatly textured from the lees stirring. Melon and ripe strawberry fruit flavors combine with damp earthy tones on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2020 Slope Life ‘Hometown Red’ Syrah- Coming from the Thunderstone Vineyard, the ‘Hometown Red’ offers a soft mouthfeel with chocolate and blackberry flavors alongside soft tannins and a smooth texture. Drink 2024-2028- 90
2020 Slope Life ‘Country Road’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Slope Life ‘Country Road’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of sites in the Royal Slope AVA. Soft and generous, this offers tobacco leaf alongside black cherry and black raspberry flavors. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2028- 91
2022 Slope Life ‘Downshift’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Downshift’ was stored in all large format neutral oak barrels before bottling. Toasty oak and Japanese pear notes combine with shades of pie crust on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with serious viscosity and texture. This is a steal at 19 bucks a bottle. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Contact Riesling- This 2023 Riesling is an orange wine that was fermented on the skins. The nose offers pear and peaches alongside nutty accents. The texture is soft and refined as this shows a great core of melon and citrus fruit flavors. Drink 2024-2028- 90
2023 Contact ‘Chillable’ Red Wine- Made from Cabernet Franc and Grenache grapes from the Rocks District AVA, this offers a very Beajo feel. This is really good stuff with bright red fruits alongside citrus rind, tobacco and damp stone tones. Alongside the nuances comes this beautiful beam of red fruits that is going to amaze. Drink now. Drink 2024-2028- 93
2023 Contact ‘Natural Red Blend’ Red Wine- This natural wine from 2023 combines mostly Tempranillo, Grenache with a small portion of Syrah. This is seriously good with a generous mouthfeel, loaded with red and dark fruits with serious tension. You are going to be crazy for this delicious, quaffable red wine. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Riesling- This 2021 Riesling saw extensive barrel aging in Austrian and Hungarian oak. Made in the Alsatian style, very dry, this is outstanding wth serous depth and richness. Petrol, Japanese pear, lychee, and macadamia nut flavors combine with copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2023 Gard ‘Franc Blanc’ White Wine- This is 100% Cabernet Franc from the Stoneridge Vineyard. This shows lemon oil and white florals on the nose alongside shades of cashew nut. Fresh with serious texture and finesse, this is drinking beautifully in its melange of melon and nutty tones. Drink 2024-2030- 92
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
2023 Gard ‘Connor Lee’ Sauvignon Blanc- Coming from this esteemed hot site in the Columbia Valley, this 100% varital wine was aged in stainless steel with constant lees stirring. This is neatly textured stuff with bright acidity and nutty accents that combine with bright pear and cantaloupe, with shades of papaya. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2022 Gard Muscadelle- The 2022 Muscadelle was stored for 16 months in 50% new French oak. Coming from the Connor Lee Vineyard, the is the only wine of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The nose shows exotic flowers, star jasmine, and juicy nectarine on the nose. The palate is salty and shows good concentration and finesse. A stunning edition of this wine, enjoy now and over the next six years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2022 Gard Albarino- This 2022 Albarino comes from the Lawrence Vineyard, and was fermented in a French oak and acacia barrel. Limited production, this offers peach pit, orange blossom, and cantaloupe tones on the nose with shades of Macadamia nut. The palate is tension-filled with loads of mouth-watering acidity. Showing good richness and verve, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2023 Gard ‘Freyja’ White Wine- This 2023 ‘Freyja’ unlike the 2022 does not have any Muscadelle blended in. Mostly Viognier (72%), with the remainder Roussanne this offers kiwi and sweetened gooseberry on the nose alongside walnut and shades of chalky soils. The palate is plush and soft with good tension. Drink 2024-2028- 91
2023 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Rose- This 2023 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose is 100% Grenache sourced from the Corfu Crossing Vineyard. This saw considerable lees stirring as this opens wth Yakima cherry and grapefruit blossom tones that combine with shades of guava and cranberry on the nose. The palate is plush and mineral-laden with good length and a great core of tart red fruits with copious minerals and stony accents. Drink 2024-2029- 92
2021 Gard ‘BDX Blanc’ White Wine- A Bordeaux inspired blend of near equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this saw considerable barrel aging, coming from the La Reyna and Connor Lee Vineyards. Cashew nut and white [each combine with shades of green melon and salty accents on the nose. Seamless through the drinking experience, this shows glorious weight and length from this warm vintage, yet maintains bright underlying acidity. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Chardonnay- Coming from a combination of Solaksen and Connor Lee Vineyards, this 2021 ‘Grand Klasse’ Chardonnay offers a beautiful golden hue in the glass. The nose is beautiful with pineapple and nutmeg dusted pie crust alongside shades of Marconi almond and melon on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a bright sense of salinity and good weight and length. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2022 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Chardonnay- This was stored in all new French oak before bottling and comes from the Solaksen, Connor Lee and La Reyna Vineyards. The wine saw extensive barrel age and lees stirring before bottling. Toasty oak and marshmellow aromatics combine with rich honeydew melon and roasted pineapple on the nose. The palate is round and generous with serious weight, texture and bright underlying acidity. Flat out fabulous stuff to consume now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2021 Gard ‘RHN Blanc’ White Wine- This 2021 blend combines Roussanne and Viognier that was co-fermented and then barrel fermented. Coming from the Corfu Crossings Vineyard, this was stored in 33% new French oak before bottling. Beautiful white florals mark the nose alongside melon and salted peach on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with serious texture and good underlying acidity. This is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2021 Gard ‘Tigre’ Pinot Gris- This 2021 orange wine was entirely barrel fermented and saw extended maceration. Stored in 30% new French oak, this offers citrus blossom and bright red fruits on the nose alongside shades of hazelnut and bergamot. The palate is beautifully textured, with serious freshness and loads of mouth-watering acidity. This is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Gard Grenache Blanc- This is a natural wine made with Grenache Blanc grapes. Unfined and unfiltered, this 2023 saw extended maceration offering nutmeg and nutty accents on the nose alongside bright Japanese pear and cantaloupe. Fresh and concerted, this is fantastic stuff to consume now. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2021 Gard ‘Boneyard’ Syrah- This 2021 ‘Boneyard’ comes from this new vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Garrigue and scorched earthy notes mingle well on the nose with exotic spices and blackberry notes. The palate is fresh and neatly textured with good mid-palate depth. Delicious, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2021 Gard ‘The Don’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A really good wine for the price, this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has a small amount of Syrah blended in. Coming from the Royal Slope AVA, this offers raspberry cordial, wet stone and freshly tilled soils on the palate alongside dried herbs. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 90
2023 Gard ‘Sans Soufre’ Tempranillo- A natural wine coming from the famed Stoneridge Vineyard, this 2023 Tempranillo offers smoked brisket, wet stone, violets and shades of tar on the nose. The palate shows beautiful richness and a plush texture with a generous core of smoked meats and black fruits. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2030- 94
2021 Gard Pinot Noir- The 2021 Gard Pinot Noir was sourced from the high elevation Solaksen Vineyard and saw extended maceration and was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. Ripe fig and red cherry combine with orange blossom and shades of tilled soils. Full-bodied, with great underlying freshness and a gorgeous core of red fruits, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Gard Malbec- The 2021 Malbec comes from the Scarline and Stoneridge Vineyards, and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. Juicy dark fruits mark the palate alongside green olives, tobacco and milk chocolate tones. Enjoy now and over the next few years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2021 Gard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Gard Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of vineyards and was stored in 40% new French oak before bottling. Almost all Cabernet sauvignon with 15% Cabernet Franc blended in, this offers bitter chocolate and baking spices alongside black currants and pipe tobacco notes. Soft and refined, showing generous texture, and richness, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new edition of this wine that was mainly stored in new French oak (70%) before bottling. Coming from three separate sites, this opens with a beautiful bouquet of black florals with espresso grounds, tar, tobacco and blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and neatly textured with great flavor density and length. Savory and delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 94
2021 Gard Cabernet Franc- This 2021 Cabernet Franc is 100% varietal that was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is marvelously herbal on the nose with chocolate and tobacco leaf tones. This is incredible stuff with its salty nuance and texture on the mid-palate, showing beautiful flavor density. Enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Gard Merlot- This 2021 Merlot comes from Connor Lee and Scarline Vineyards and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. Baking spices and chocolate mark the nose with kirsch notes. The palate is delicious and lithe with a polished texture and bright underlying acidity. Rich and viscous, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Gard ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine- The 2021 Gard ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine is a fabulous melange of mainly Syrah (70%) with the remainder Grenache and Mourvèdre. This all was co-fermented and saw extended maceration. The palate is fresh and concentrated with loads of bright acidity and a generous core of red and dark fruits with smoked brisket and umami notes. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Gard ‘Kvasir’ Red Wine- Nearly all Mourvèdre, this 2021 ‘Kvasir’ comes from the Thunderstone and Scarline Vineyards. Barrel and concrete fermented this delivers anise, red currants, and smoked pork shoulder on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good elegance and length. Finishing with bright red fruits and minerals, enjoy this wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Grenache- This 2021 Grenache comes from the Corfu Crossings Vineyard which is set on soils with heavy calcium deposits. Orange peel and red raspberry with lavender and red rose petals all combine on the nose. This comes off rich, soft and very salty from the soils, with a loaded core of red fruits. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah- This 2021 ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah is a barrel selection wine that was stored in mainly new French oak barrels (70% new) before bottling. Black currants and green peppercorns combine with juicy blackberry and chocolate notes on the nose. The palate is complex and delicious with a great sense of depth, concentration and salty/stony accents. Showing bright acidity and good length, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 95
2021 Gard ‘Reverance’ Red Wine- This 2021 ‘Reverance’ combines mainly Grenache (60%) with the remainder Syrah. Coming up smoky and savory on the nose this delivers brisket and tar with cuban cigar on the nose. The palate is viscous and fresh with good depth and concentration, showing loads of mouth-watering acidity. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Gard ‘Toro’ Red Wine- a new wine, the 2021 ‘Toro’ combines 60% Grenache with the remainder Tempranilllo that was stored in American oak barrels for 30 months prior to bottling. Dill pickle and orange peel notes combine with bright red fruits on the nose. The palate is plush, soft and refined with generous mouthfeel. This works beautifully together as there is nothing quite like this in Washington. Drink 2024-2034- 95
2021 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection wine that was stored in all new French oak before bottling. Inspired by the wines of Mayacamus Vineyards, this delivers dark chocolate shavings, sage, dark currants and loamy soils. The palate is extremely well-balanced, showing great depth and concentration, with fantastic finesse. This will easily cellar for twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 95
2021 Gard ‘Vineyard Selection Solaksen’ Red Wine- This 2021 represents a barrel selection of Syrah and Malbec from this vineyard. The wine was stored in all new French oak and saw extended maceration before bottling. Very inky in the glass, this delivers black and blue fruits on the nose with violets, tar and anise. Showing good viscosity and verve, this is drinking marvelously even in its heady youth. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2021 Gard ‘Vineyard Selection Connor Lee’ Red Wine- This beautiful 2021 combines Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Connor Lee Vineyards. Stored in new French oak before bottling, this shows incredible aromatics of pencil lead, dark currants, sweet pipe tobacco and black florals that all parade in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced, with salty nuance and serious verve and texture. Glorious to consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95
2021 Gard ‘Vineyard Selection Stoneridge’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Stoneridge’ combines Tempranillo and Syrah was stored in all new French oak with considerable lees stirring before bottling. The nose is very alluring and complex with bright red florals that mingle well with soy sauce, smoked brisket, ripe black cherry and tobacco. The palate is complex and delicious with a fabulous range of non-fruit flavors with stony and salty nuances. Glorious in its heady youth, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 96
2022 Gard Icewine- The 2022 Gard Icewine weighs in at over 200 G/L residual sugar and is made from frozen Riesling grapes. This is concentrated, dense stuff that is already drinking magically. Pineapple upsidedown cake alongside creme brûlée, rich mango and lemon curd flavors all combine on the palate. Rich and viscous, showing off its unctuous texture, this is one of the great dessert wines from Washington that I have tasted over the past year. Drink 2024-2034- 95