Today we present an electric wine brand out of Washington. Dossier is a partnership between former NFL star Sidney Rice and businessman and fellow Whitman grad Tim Lenihan. One of the great talents on the west coast, master of wine, Billo Naravane, makes incredible wines for his 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. Brandon has a vast wealth of experience in the wine industry and has been honing his craft for more than 20 years.
Dossier is making one of the great Sauvignon Blancs in the state. The 2024 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 94) has stunning flavor range at the entry level. Even better is their 2023 ‘Halo’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 96) which is a stunning rendition of this wine — up there with anything I have tasted this year from Napa. Learn more about this project at dossierwine.com and here are my reviews of the new Dossier wines.
2024 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 Dosser Sauvignon Blanc has the Equis Vineyard added to the other sources (Lonesome Spring Ranch, Corfu Crossing and Connor Lee). Lychee, green herbs and shades of white peach all mark the nose. The palate is lush and round with terrific mouthfeel and tension. Salty and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Malolactic fermented and don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2033- 94
2023 Dossier ‘Halo’ Sauvignon Blanc- Entirely sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this 100& varietal Sauvignon Blanc was stored for 15 months in new oak barrels and underwent full malolactic fermentation. This offers lovely nutty tones on the nose with roasted pineapple, orange blossom and shades of salted sourdough bread. The palate is dense and viscous with serious depth, flavor density and complexity. The length and flavor density of this wine is insanely good as this is amongst the finest Sauvignon Blanc you will find on the West Coast. This has both the viscosity and the verve to cellar well for at least another ten years. Drink 2025-2038- 96
2023 Dossier ‘Portfolio’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from several sources, the 2023 ‘Portfolio’ Cabernet Franc was stored in 50% new French oak for 18 months before bottling. On the nose this takes on fresh sage and red currants alongside shades of cassis and anise seed. The palate is plush and soft with a refined mouthfeel and great sense of texture, as chocolate and pipe tobacco tones collide with blackberry compote. This is complex and rich Cabernet Franc that has a long life ahead of it. Enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 95
2023 Dossier ‘Flagship Index Blend’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Flagship Index Blend’ is a 45% Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 21 months in 65% new French oak, this offers pencil lead, anise and black currants fill the nose alongside shades of chocolate pie. The palate is dense and delicious with a silky texture and wonderful depth, richness and concentration. The blending components are shining brightly. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2022 Dossier ‘Halo Reserve Dissertation’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Halo Reserve Dissertation’ 49% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Cabernet Franc with 16% Merlot and the remainder Malbec and Petit Verdot. This was stored in all new French oak for two years and then saw 18 months bottle age before being released. Dried herbs and tobacco leaf all fill the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, graphite and shades of green bell pepper. The herbal accents here really beautifully compliment the dense dark fruits. This is very nervy and intense, with serious concentration considering the coolness of the vintage. This is seamless throughout the drinking experience. A total stunner, enjoy this glorious bottling now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2045- 98
2023 Dossier ‘Flagship’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Flagship’ was stored in 70% new French oak for 21 months before bottling. This is mainly sourced from Goose Mountain Vineyard. This is dense and heady stuff with a sensational mouthfeel and great sense of weight and length. Black and blue fruits collide with Arabica bean and light green herbal accents on the palate. Well-structured, dense and plush, this is drinking marvelously right now Drink 2025-2038- 96
2022 Dossier ‘Halo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 100% varietal 2022 ‘Halo’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Firethorn, Summit View and Goose Mountain Vineyards. Stored in 100% new French oak for two years, this was then stored in bottle for 16 months before release. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside shades of dark chocolate, kirsch cordial, sweet pipe tobacco and suggestions of creme de cassis. The palate is impeccably balanced, with incredible weight, length and depth. Fresh sage and espresso bean accents line this beautiful wine that is only a slight step off the otherworldly 2021. Enjoy this beauty over the next two decades. Drink 2025-2045- 99