One of the truly unique wineries of the Pacific Northwest, Cimento is the brainchild of the Walla Walla Land Company who are the largest land owners in the Walla Walla Rocks District. Cimento is a Latin word with a historical meaning, referring to a mixture used by goldsmiths to purify precious metals, usually by fire. In the seventeenth century, the term gained broader meaning and referred to testing or experimenting: ‘to try’ or ‘to experiment.’ The name is meant to lend itself to a philosophy of experimentation.
These wines were made by Todd Alexander who knocked them out of the park. This has in the past few years been some of the best white wines coming out of the Northwest and once again I was totally blown away with their 2024 Cimento ‘Tenuta Bianca’ White Wine (OB, 97) which is not only heady and rich but has amazing flavor range, nutty nuances and stony character. Learn more at https://www.cimentowines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Cimento ‘Tenuta Bianca’.
2024 Cimento Tenuta Blanca- Made from mostly Clairette (48%) with the remainder Piquepoul, Bourboulenc and a dash of Roussanne, this was stored in 57% new French oak before bottling. This is super-rich and unctuous stuff with terrific freshness and nutty nuances. Melon and tropical fruits collide with salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2026-2034- 97
2024 Cimento Viognier- Sourced from the Orselli Estate Vineyard, the 2024 Cimento Viognier was largely stored in neutral French oak before bottling. This offers gardenia and honeysuckle alongside. The palate is dense and unctuous with terrific texture and stony character. A generous, broad-shouldered Viognier, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 97
2024 Cimento Grenache- The 2024 Cimento Grenache shows beautiful red florals on the nose alongside satsuma orange zest and Middle Eastern spices. The palate is dense and mineral-laden with terrific freshens and verve considering the warmth of the vintage. The stony essence and mouth-watering sanguine and saline character is outstanding. Drink 2026-2038- 97
2023 Cimento Syrah- An amazing wine coming from the Orselli Estate Vineyard, the 2023 Cimento Syrah was given 53% whole cluster fermentation. Stored for 16 months in 45% new French oak this shows amazing rocks character on the nose. Tar, pipe tobacco and compost combines with smoldering stones on the nose. The palate is deep and powerful with terrific mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering tension. This is glorious and dense stuff that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2036- 98
2024 Cimeoto ‘San Tommaso Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2024 Cimeoto ‘San Tommaso Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers dusty soils, wet rock and kirsch on the nose. Violets, pipe tobacco, cedar, and sandalwood notes all combine on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with amazing power and verve. Glorious now, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2040- 97