One of the truly great houses on Red Mountain, Fidelitas began with legendary Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes and his vision to focus on making red wines from this famed AVA. For years 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.
He did a really nice job with the warm 2021 vintage but he also makes some sensational white wines. I love the 2023 Optu White Wine (OB, 94) which is a refined and sleek Bordeaux inspired blend. I adored the 2022 ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Malbec (OB, 95) which is pound for pound one of the finest Malbecs made in this state. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.
2023 Fidelitas ‘Optu White’ White Wine- The 2023 ‘Optu White’ combines Sauvignon Blanc (58%) with the remainder Semillon, mainly sourced from the Artz Vineyard. Fidelitas first made this wine back in 2007 as this edition was stored in 25% new French oak. Right away this delivers nice nutty tones on the nose with green papaya and shades of mango. Soft and delicious on the mouth, with a silky texture, this is delicious stuff that is already beautifully defined. Drink 2025-2031- 94
2020 Fideitas ‘Red Mountain’ Merlot- Mainly coming from the Quintessence Vineyard, this was stored in 66% new French oak for 20 months before bottling. This delivers kirsch tones that meld with loganberry preserves, toasty oak and chocolate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 93
2020 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon was mainly sourced from the Quintessence Vineyard. This delivers garrigue notes alongside cassis and dark chocolate shavings with tar notes. Smooth and round on the mouth, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 93
2022 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Malbec- The 2022 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Malbec was stored for 22 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. Coming from this location planted in the early 1990s this shows off violets, tar and sweet pipe tobacco on the nose alongside chocolate covered dark cherry. The palate has serious weight and good underlying tension that really makes this sing. Gorgeous to enjoy now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Fidelitas ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 22 months in 53% new French oak before bottling. The palette is dense and lush with a superb mouthfeel and wonderful scorched earth and saline tones that mingle well with a generous core of dark fruits, with anise and sagebrush accents. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2022 Fideltas ‘Optu’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Optu’ combines 71% Cabernet Sauvignon with small parts Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Stored for 22 months in mainly new French oak (82%) this delivers dried herbs on the nose with creosote, black licorice, kirsch and wild blackberry notes. Round and generous, with a seamless texture, this is already drinking beautifully now. Drink 2025-2037- 94
2021 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Blackwood Canyon’ comes from this historic site that was first planted back in 1984 and is owned by the Corliss Family. Chewy tannins frame a gorgeous core of dark currant, dark cherry and black raspberry flavors alongside salty soils and garrigue notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Merlot- Coming from this site on Red Mountain which was planted back in 1975, this 2022 Merlot was stored for 28 months in a combination of French and American oak before bottling. Red florals mark the nose alongside milk chocolate and fresh sage notes. This is layered and delicious stuff with a plush texture and gorgeous sense of weight and length. This is seriously good stuff that will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Franc- The 2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Franc was stored in only 40% new French oak and is a limited production bottling at a mere 122 cases. Very inky in the glass, this delivers a smooth mouthfeel wit dark currant and tobacco leaf flavors that meld well with shades of red bell pepper on the palate. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2022 Fideltas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Red Wine- A killer blend made from mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Fideltas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Red Wine. The black and red floral aromatics really entice, as sandy soils and red currants march on with espresso bean notes on the nose. The smooth mouthfeel and richness beautifully guide this outstanding blend. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 70% new French oak before bottling. Herbal accents with freshly tilled loamy soils and chocolate all mark the nose. The palate is lush and smooth with a great sense of salinity. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Petit Verdot- A small production wine, the 2022 Fidelitas ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Petit Verdot offers green herbs, espresso bean and dark chocolate shavings on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with serious texture and gorgeous herbal undertones. This is a total stunner. Drink 2025-2040- 95