It is my pleasure to share one of the greats from Chelan. Cairdeas is an ancient Gaelic word meaning friendship, goodwill or alliance. Founded by Charlie and Lacey Lybecker in 2009, Cairdeas is named after Charlie’s Irish heritage and Lacey’s goodwill (that is how they met). Lacey and Charlie are some of the nicest people you will find in the Washington wine industry.
For many years now they have been sourcing their grapes from outstanding sites throughout Washington including the acclaimed ‘Boushey Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley and the ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ in the new Royal Slope AVA. The winery is perched atop the lake with stunning views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding valley. It is a gorgeous spot to enjoy their fantastic Rose wine.
The new edition of their 2022 Cairdeas ‘Caiselan An Papa’ Red Wine (OB, 95) is a world-class Chateauneuf inspired bottling that has great freshness and flavor complexity. This one is all about balance and moving parts. Learn more about this excellent Chelan outpost at https://cairdeaswinery.com/winery/about-us/ and here are my reviews of the new Cairdeas wines.
2023 Cairdeas Viognier- The 2023 Cairdeas Viognier comes from the Boushey and Coyote Canyon vineyards. Stored in a range of vessels, this offers honeysuckle and white peach on the nose alongside sweetened gooseberry. The palate is fresh and elegant with a smooth texture, good sense of weight and vibrant underlying acidity. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2023 Cairdeas ‘Nellie May’ White Wine- The 2023 ‘Nellie May’ combines Viognier (64%) and Roussanne (36%). The wine was sourced from both the Lawrence and Coyote Canyon Vineyards. This is lush and ripe on the palate, with beautiful texture, tension and vibrant acidity. Melon and citrus fruits parade with shades of salted macadamia nut on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2023 Cairdeas Grenache Noir- The 2023 Grenache Noir comes from the Thunderstone Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Red rose petals and orange peel with tobacco leaf and red currants all mark the nose. The palate is vibrant and downright sexy, showing lovely verve and texture that combine with a pure core of bright red fruits. Highly enjoyable now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2022 Cairdeas ‘Concrete’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Concrete’ Syrah comes from the Lawrence Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Dense dark fruits combine with iodine, tar, menthol and shades of pencil lead on the palate. Beautifully weighted and textured, this is already drinking beautifully in its heady and vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Cairdeas ‘Stone Ridge Vineyard’ Syrah- This 2022 Syrah comes from the acclaimed Stone Ridge Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. 2% Viognier has been blended in, as this is offering pretty white florals with tar, anise, black currants and shades of scorched earth. The palate shows loads of mouth-watering acidity, with a smooth mouthfeel. Loganberry preserves, espresso bean, graphite and wet stone all combine on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2022 Cairdeas ‘Consonance’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Consonance’ combines mainly Petite Sirah and Syrah with a small amount of Mourvèdre blended in. Fresh and neat on the mouth, the wine delivers blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors alongside shades of wet rock, wintergreen and dark currant compete. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Cairdeas ‘Tri’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Tri’ combines mainly Syrah (73%) with smaller portions Mourvèdre and Grenache. Dried herbs and white pepper dusted bacon all mark the nose alongside beef drippings and suggestions of iodine, with blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and beautifully-textured showing good weight and acidity. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2022 Cairdeas ‘Caislean An Papa’ Red Wine- The 2022 Cairdeas ‘Caislean An Papa’ Red Wine is a gorgeous wine made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise. The nose is highly complex, offering garrigue and white pepper dusted smoked meats alongside black olives, menthol and shades of huckleberry. The palate maintains beautiful freshness and softness, loaded with red and dark fruit flavors, alongside cigar ash, bacon fat and fresh thyme. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Cairdeas ‘Finial’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Finial’ combines mainly Syrah and Petite Sirah with smaller parts Mourvèdre and a dash of Viognier. It is a lush and dense red blend, showing black and blue fruits on the palate alongside tar, anise and sagebrush accents. Offering good freshness and texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93