It has been many years since I first set foot at Fidelitas — a beacon of consistency on Red Mountain. Legendary Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes served as former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. Hoppes finally decided to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets.
Hoppes made some great 2020 wines where many houses floundered. He did the same in the epic and very warm 2021 vintage. These are wines that are marvelously consistent with great structure, refined tannins and fabulous flavor density. I do not think you will be disappointed in the wines. Check out the gorgeous 2021 Fidelitas ’Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec (OB, 95) which is round and voluptuous, leaving little doubt that this is one of the finest Malbecs in the state. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2023 m100 Rosé- The 2023 m100 Rose comes from Merlot grapes rom the High River Vineyard. Stoed and aged in natural oak barrels, this offers copious minerals that combine wth strawberry and red currant flavors with orange zest notes. Drink 2025-2030- 90
2022 m100 Cabernet Sauvignon- 100% varietal, the 2022 m100 comes ro mainly the High River and Weinbau Vineyards. This is a delicious edition of this wine with mocha, tar and anise notes that combine with medium bodied dark fruits. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Merlot- A brilliant and juicy edition of Merlot from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, this was stored in 66% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. Inky in the glass this offers pencil lead and Black Forest Cake on the nose alongside shades of dark currants and anise. The palate is plush and full-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel and great underlying verve considering the heat of the vintage. Glorious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Malbec- Also 100% varietal, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Malbec’ was stored in 25 new American oak barrels for 18 months prior to bottling. Brooding in the glass, this delivers plenty of rich dark fruits on the palate, alongside huckleberry compote, dark chocolate shavings and a graphite edge. Every bit outstanding, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- A dense, inky and hedonistic edition of this wine, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot was aged in mainly new American oak barrels before bottling. This is dense, heady and wonderfully earthy on the palate. Creme de cassis, tar, anise seed, fresh tobacco and shades of green bell pepper all combine with intense black and blue fruits on the palate. A total joy to drink now, this has some beautiful aging potential. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate' Red Wine- The outstanding 2021 Fidelitas Red Wine combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc that was stored in 70% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. This shows good poise and balance with medium bodied dark fruits that parade with espressos grounds and sagebrush notes. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This gorgeous 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain. Stored in mainly new French oak barrels, this delivers tar, anise seed, black currant jelly and espresso ground aromatics. The palate is refined and elegant with a smooth texture and generous mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2021 Fidélitas Estate ‘Clone 169’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A unique clonal bottling from 2021, this was stored in 25% new American oak for 28 months prior to bottling. This comes off wonderfully earthy on the palate with dusty soils that combine with dark cherry and boysenberry notes alongside dusty soils and shades of creme de violette. Delicious and lithe, with a polished texture and bright acidity, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2021 Fidélitas Estate ‘Clone 412’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Clone 412’ is 100% variety combing from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard. Aged in 75% new French oak barrels, this offers a plush texture on the mouth. Walnut and cassis notes mingle with violet cream and shades of tar with black licorice on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Fidelitas Quintessence Vineyard Merlot- A dense and heady, quintessential Merlot off Red Mountain, the 2021 Quintessence Vineyard Merlot was stored in a combination of mainly new French and American oak barrels prior to bottling. Black raspberry and violets mark the nose alongside shades of creosote and fresh sage. The palate is soft and refined with generous dark fruits that parade with chocolate and shades of Turkish coffee. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2021 Fidelitas 'Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec- The 2021 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec is 100% varietal coming from this site on Red Mountain. Very inky in the glass, this offers violets and scorched earthy notes that combine with graphite, and creme de cassis notes on the palate. Full-bodied and beautifully structured, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2021 Quintessence Red Wine combines 32% Petit Verdot and 32% Cabernet Franc with 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the remainder Merlot. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside thyme, black currants and damp soils. Each varietal is ticking is in clockwork balance here in terms of oak, herbal accents and dense dark fruits with scorched earthy accents. What a beautiful blend! Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2021 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mainly new French oak barrels before bottling. This is dense and heady with sandalwood and cassis notes on the palate alongside serious structure and refined tannins. Full-bodied and full of verve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94