Happy Labor Day to you all. Gård was founded by brothers Sandy and John Lawrence, who have farmed the Royal Slope for more than 50 years, along with John’s son Josh, who joined the operation in 2002. The winery is managed by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations. Josh and Lisa are some of the nicest people in the wine business.
I have been so impressed with the talents of winemaker Matías Kúsulas of Chile who has served as head winemaker since 2021. It is pretty impressive that he boats three masters degrees and is a former Marine. The new wines are beautifully textured and exude value.
I love the new Gård Vintners wines.Check out the new 2023 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose (OB, 92) which shows a smooth mouthfeel and offers very pretty red fruits. I am enamored by the 2022 Gard Ice Wine (OB, 95) which has over 200 G/L residual sugar and is a sumptuous, very heady bottling that will surely satisfy any lover of top dessert wine. Learn more about these great wines at gardvintners.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gård Vintners.
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Riesling- This 2022 Riesling was aged for several years in Austrian and Hungarian oak. Golden in the glass, this delivers petrol and nutty tones on the nose alongside shades of lychee. The palate is big and bold with serious tension, weight and length. This is a simply stunning nervy, dense and rich bottling that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2024 Gard ‘Franc Blanc’ White Wine- The ‘Franc Blanc’ is 100% Cabernet Franc from the Stoneridge Vineyard. They have made this wine since the ’22 vintage. Wet stone and shades of salted walnut mingle well with tangerine peel and shades of starfruit and hay on the nose. The palate is big and round with great volume, texture and freshness. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2023 Gard Albarino- This 2023 Albarino is the second edition of this wine, sourced from the Lawrence Vineyard,. The wine was barrel fermented and saw a few days on the skins. This is rich and concentrated with loads of melon fruits with suggestions of passion fruit and salted mixed nuts. This has amazing flavor density and tension, with a great salinity. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2024 Gard ‘Freyja’ White Wine- This 2024 ‘Freyja’ combines Viognier (62%) with the remainder Roussanne. Golden in the glass, the wine shows juicy starfruit and nutty tones on the palate, alongside a smooth mouthfeel and great underlying verve. Dense and chewy on the mouth, with kiwi accents, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2030- 91
2022 Gard ‘Tigre’ Pinot Gris- A skin-contact Pinot Gris, the 2022 ‘Tigre’ offers terrific body and layers on the palate. A great combination of delicate red fruits combine with green melon and cashew nuts flavors on the palate. Barrel-fermented, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2024 Gard ‘Grand Klasse Reserve’ Rose- This 2024 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose delivers a smooth mouthfeel with serous texture and lip-smacking acidity. Bright red fruits collide with citrus peel and copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2022 Gard ‘BDX Blanc’ White Wine- The ’22 BDX Blanc comes from the Connor Lee and La Reyna Vineyards. This is a Bordeaux inspired blend of near equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this was stored in large format barrels Golden in the glass, this delivers salted chaser nut alongside lychee, nectarine and shades of green papaya on the nose. The palate is exceptionally well-balanced with great texture and underlying freshness. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Chardonnay- This vintage there was no ‘Winemaker Select’ as the 2022 ‘Grand Klasse’ mainly was sourced from the Solaksen Vineyard as well as the La Reyna Vineyard. Stored in large format French oak this delivers pastry crust and suggestions of marzipan and pineapple notes on the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated with good verve and underlying salinity. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2023 Gard ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ Grenache Blanc- Grenache Blanc was grafted over Cabernet Sauvignon at this site. Stored in neutral oak, this was given a lot of lees stirring before release. Peach and shades of gooseberry combine with shades of green papaya on the palate. Gorgeous and rich, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 93
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Viognier- The 2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Viognier was stored in roughly 60% new French oak before bottling. This has terrific volume and underlying acidity as rich peach and starfruit flavors combine with nutty underpinnings. Fresh and vibrant with terrific body, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Roussanne- The 2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Roussanne was stored in equal parts neutral and new French oak before bottling. This delivers sumptuous honeydew melon and shades of salted macadamia nut and papaya notes on the palate. Dense and rich with great finesse, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. The finish just doesn’t quit. Drink 2025-2033- 95
2023 Gard Grenache Blanc- This is a natural wine made with Grenache Blanc grapes. Unfined and unfiltered, this 2023 saw extended maceration offering nutmeg and nutty accents on the nose alongside bright Japanese pear and cantaloupe. Fresh and concerted, this is fantastic stuff to consume now. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2022 Gard ‘Boneyard’ Syrah- This 2021 ‘Boneyard’ was sourced from this newer site in the Royal Slope AVA. This is showing beautifully right now with its herbal accents that parade with bright red and dark fruits with tar and tobacco leaf notes. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2022 Gard ‘The Don’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 ‘The Don’ has Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Syrah blended in. Sourced from the Royal Slope AVA, this offers good concentration with black tea and black raspberry notes on the palate, with salty soil accents. Drink 2025-2030- 90
2022 Gard Pinot Noir- The 2022 Gard Pinot Noir comes from the Solaksen Vineyard and saw extended maceration (3 months on skins) and was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. This is very fresh and fragrant with beautiful orange peel and tobacco notes on the nose alongside bright red fruits and red rose petals. Dense and chewy, with a soft mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Gard Malbec- The 2021 100% varietal Malbec comes from the Scarline and Stoneridge Vineyards. This was stored in 40% new French oak before bottling. Tar, espresso grounds and rich dark fruits mark the palate alongside a smooth texture. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2022 Gard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Gard Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal and comes from a range of sites and was stored in half new French oak before bottling. Dark currants mingle well with dark chocolate shavings and pencil lead on the nose. This is seriously good, as this comes off smooth and round on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new edition of this wine that was mainly stored in new French oak (70%) before bottling. Sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, this opens with a gorgeous bouquet of black florals and espresso grounds alongside loamy soils and shades of dark currants. The palate is lush and round on the mouth with a terrific mouthfeel and good sense of length. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Gard Cabernet Franc- Sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyard, the 2022 Cabernet Franc is 100% varietal that was stored in a combination of new and neutral French oak before bottling. This shows marvelous herbal notes on the palate alongside cherry tomato, coffee grounds and milk chocolate tones. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Gard Merlot- This 2022 Merlot was sourced from the Connor Lee and Scarline Vineyards and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is lush and round on the mouth with terrific texture and refined tannins. Kirsch and chocolate notes parade with bay leaf and shades of baking spices on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Gard ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine- The 2021 Gard ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine is a fabulous melange of mainly Syrah (45%) with the remainder Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. A dash of white pepper hits the nose alongside hoisin sauce, wild blackberry and shades of fresh sage. The palate has good concentration and richness with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Gard ‘Kvasir’ Red Wine- Nearly all Mourvèdre, this 2022 ‘Kvasir’ was stored in large format oak barrels before bottling. White pepper, potpourri and smoked meats all combine on the nose. The palate is lifted and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel with bright acidity. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Grenache- This 2022 Grenache comes from the Corfu Crossing and Thunderstone Vineyards. Orange blossom and beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside thyme and salty soils with guava fruits. This drivers a opulent purity of fruit with a seamless texture and great salinity, with serious tension. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Gard ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah- This 2022 ‘Grand Klasse’ Syrah is a barrel selection wine that was stored in mainly new French oak barrels (70% new) before bottling. Mainly coming from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this offers creme de violette and tar notes on the nose alongside garrigue and blackberry compote. Roughly a third stem inclusion on this beauty. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Syrah- The ’22 ‘Winemaker Select’ Syrah was stored in nearly all new French oak and spent 30 months in barrel before bottling. Smoky and savory notes fill the nose alongside heady black and blue fruits. The palate shows gorgeous flavor density with bright underlying acidity and salty nuances. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Gard ‘Reverance’ Red Wine- This 2022 ‘Reverance’ combines mainly Grenache (60%) with the remainder Syrah and a touch of Mourvèdre. Stored in mainly new French oak barrels, this delivers smoky and ash notes on the nose alongside creosote, bacon fat and dense dark fruits. The palate is rich and savory with terrific freshness. Fat and rich on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2022 Gard ‘Thunderstone’ Syrah- Coming from the Scarline Vineyard, the 2022 ‘Thunderstone’ underwent all whole cluster fermentation. Iodine and tar mark the nose alongside charcuterie and salted orange. This is impeccably balanced stuff with great weight and tension. The flavor range is truly outstanding. Only 13.9% alcohol but this packs a punch with serious stuffing and weight. Drink 2025-2033- 95
2022 Gard ‘Toro’ Red Wine- A gorgeous wine, the 2022 ‘Toro’ combines 60% Grenache with the remainder Tempranillo that was stored in American oak barrels for 30 months prior to bottling. Coconut and orange rind flavors mingle well with a gorgeous core of red fruits and a seamless texture on the palate. A stunning wine, with great weight and freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2021 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The sensational 2022 Gard ‘Winemaker Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection wine that was stored in new French oak before bottling. This is heady and intense on the mouth with serious texture and good stuffing. Fresh sage and chocolate flavors mingle well with sweet pipe tobacco leaf and loamy soil character on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2022 Gard ‘Stoneridge’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Stoneridge’ combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Beautiful dark florals mark the nose alongside iodine, tar and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is fresh with beautiful floral and stony character, with a light dusting of salinity. Vibrant and intense, with refined tannins, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95
2022 Gard ‘Connor Lee’ Red Wine- A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this is a barrel selection wine that comes from the Connor Lee Vineyard. It is rich and velvety with a seamless texture on the mouth. Loads of espresso ground and freshness greet you with chocolate covered cherry and shades of tar on the palate. Delicious and dense, with bright underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Gard ‘Solaksen’ Red Wine- The 2022 Gard ‘Solaksen’ Red Wine is a barrel selection wine that combines near equal parts Syrah and Malbec. Inky in the glass, this delivers concentrated black and blue fruits that mingle well with tar, anise and creme de violette on the palate. Rich and layered, with good freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Gard ‘Scarline’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Scarline’ is a barrel selection wine composed of 65% Syrah with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. This is heady, dense and delicious with terrific flavor density and a beautiful sense of weight. Dark florals and wild mushroom notes combine with loamy soils and heady dark fruits on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 95