Today we share one of the electric wine brands of the Pacific Northwest. Tasting with winemaker Travis Allen, he shared his 2024 and 2023 wines with me. “I really enjoy these vintages” he said. “’24 in particular was really good for whites” he explained.
I was spellbound by the shocking good 2024 Kobayashi Viognier (OB, 97) which is arguably the finest wine of its kind in Washington. This one is definitely upper echelon Vio.
As good as the ’24 Viognier was, the stunning ‘Minzunara’ bottling from 2023 was another perfect wine for me. “You’ll notice the barrel impact is considerably less” explained Allen. I found that sandalwood and cedar tones to really caress the beautiful floral and black fruit character of the Cabernet Franc. I think this is easily one of the best, if not the best Cabernet Franc made in the United States — really rivaling anything out of Napa or Sonoma right now. Elegant, seamless and full of tension and viscosity, try to get your hands on the scintillating 2023 ‘Mizunara’ Cabernet Franc. Learn more at https://kobayashiwinery.com and here are my reviews of the sensational new wines by Kobayashi winery.
NV Kobayashi ‘Nikko’ Sparkling Wine- Coming from the Celilo Vineyard, this is 100% Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine that was planted back in 1973. Beautiful red fruits grace the nose alongside sourdough bread and shades of yellow plum. Zero dosage, this is concentrated and rich with terrific flavor density and great saline and nutty accents. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2024 Kobayashi Viognier- This 2024 Viognier was sourced from entirely the WeatherEye Vineyard.This was stored in a range of vessels including amphorae, stainless steel and even a glass orb (wine globe). Golden in the glass, this delivers yarrow and wild herbs that combine with yellow plum and marzipan notes. The palate is rich and viscous with serious tension and loads of wet stone character. Viscous and tense, very nervy, enjoy over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 97
2024 Kobayashi ‘Sans Soufre’ Cabernet Franc- The 2024 ‘Sans Soufre’ comes from old vines at the Red Willow Vineyard as this location is organically farmed. Stored and fermented in nearly all concrete, this offers violets and tar notes on the nose alongside bacon fat, and suggestions of wild blackberry pie. The palate is rich and concentrated with serious depth and finesse. A stunning wine made from this warm vintage, watch this evolve over the next six plus years. Only 300 bottles made. Drink 2025-2033- 97
2023 Kobayashi Cabernet Franc- Sourced from the Blue Mountain Vineyard, this 2023 Cabernet Franc opens with concentrated black fruits with Middle Eastern spices, orange bell pepper and shades of crushed mint. The palate is deep, viscous and unbelievably good with serious texture and shows great salty/stony nuance. Drink 2025-2042- 97
2023 Kobayashi ‘Mizunara’ Cabernet Franc- The 2023 ‘Mizunara’ comes from old platings at the Red Willow Vineyard. This wine was made in the third use barrel. Sandalwood notes combine with potpourri, anise and creme de cassis notes. The palate is plush and smooth with a seamless texture and sensational viscosity. This is unbelievable wine that has so much life ahead of it. Only 500 bottles made. Drink 2025-2050- 100
2023 Kobayashi Syrah- Entirely coming from the WeatherEye Vineyard, this has a touch of Viognier blended in. Stored in roughly 25% new French oak, this delivers bacon fat and green olive on the palate alongside salty nuances and crushed wet rocky notes. Concentrated, with loads of finesse, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 96