This is now the second time I have tasted the new wines by Rujaya. It is the second time that I have been seriously impressed with winemaker Benedict Almquist and his precision of crafting wines with a sense of place. For nearly a decade he worked alongside his cousin at Almquist Family Vintners in Seattle, and then in 2018 became their resident winemaker. Since spring of 2023, Benedict worked as assistant winemaker at Darby Winery in Woodinville, WA. He found his inspiration in a bottle of FX Pichler Riesling from the Wachau Valley, Austria and became infatuated with world-class Riesling. His first Riesling release was a home run! The new wines were even better than the first wines that I tasted. These are all fall 2026 releases. You don’t want to miss out on the 2024 ‘Icarus’ Grenache (OB, 95) which has amazing rocks character and is pretty and downright sexy in its incredible flavor range. Learn more about this electric new winery at https://rujayawinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the inaugural wines from Rujaya.
2024 Rujaya ‘Apinya’ Boushey Vineyard’ Grenache- The fabulous 2024 Rujaya ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Grenache was sourced from this famed site in the Yakima Valley. Stored in neutral oak, this opens with a heady melange of red and dark fruits, with pretty red rose petals and orange blossom on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a seriously good texture, as well as weight and length. Generous, and showing lovely stony nuance, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2026-2034- 94
2023 Rujaya ‘Apinya Royal Slope’ Syrah- The seriously good 2023 Rujaya ‘Royal Slope’ Syrah comes from the acclaimed Stillwater Creek Vineyard and utilizes Joseph Phelps clonal selection. All of this wine underwent whole-cluster fermentation. It stands inky in the glass, with black cherry compote, coffee grounds and green olives that combine with shades of chocolate pie on the palate. This has a bulls blood, sanguine character that makes it very Cote Rote meets Washington. Very dense and exotic, with Asian spices that linger, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2024 Rujaya ‘Apinya Icarus Vineyard’ Grenache- Sourced from the Icarus Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District, this 2024 Grenache is sensational, third-leaf wine that has amazing Rocks character. Once on the nose this takes on layers of anise with charcuterie, beef drippings, orange peel and fresh sage, with great stony essence. The palate is beautifully-textured with serious verve. A joy to consume right now, watch this evolve over the next six to eight years. But why wait? Drink 2026-2033- 95
2023 Rujaya ‘Apinya Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2024 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah was entirely whole-cluster fermented and hails from the famed Stoney Vine Vineyard. It is soft, savory and neatly-textured stuff. Black olive tapenade and smoldering wet stones all combine with sagebrush, boysenberry and smoked meats on the palate. Beautiful now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 95