It is my pleasure to share the incredible wines of Avennia and Liminal, both partnerships between famed winemaker Chris Peterson and former Microsoft exec Marty Taucher. They now have two lines of wines, from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain as well as wines from choice sites throughout the Columbia Valley. They are making some of the best Sauvignon Blanc and Rose in Washington State. The Liminal wines are entirely sourced from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard on the north slope of Red Mountain.
I love the new wines by these wineries. I adored the 2024 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah (OB, 97) which is a total stunner that is arguably the finest edition of this wine. Learn more about Avennia at https://avennia.com and Liminal at https://www.liminalwine.com/ here are my reviews of the glorious new wines by Avennia and Liminal.
2024 Lydian White Wine- A blend of manly Sauvignon Blanc (80%) with the remainder Semillon, this offers kiwi and gooseberry flavors that mingle well with nutty and hay nuances on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91
2023 Lydian Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Lydian Cabernet Sauvignon is soft on the mouth with lighter to medium-bodied red and dark fruits with Arabica bean notes. Drink 2026-2032- 90
2024 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier- This beautiful Viognier comes off beautifully aromatic offering yarrow and white peach. The palate is rich and viscous with terrific tension and vibrant minerality alongside loads of salty and stony minerals. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2023 Lydian ‘GSM’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘GSM’ Red Wine offers red currants and red rose petals on the nose with orange peel notes. The palate is nicely-balanced with a smooth mouthfeel, as this is brimming with bright acidity and lush red fruits. A killer value, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 92
2024 Liminal ‘High Canyon’ Grenache- The 2024 ‘High Canyon’ Grenache is a gorgeous, round and generous Grenache that is showing marvelously in its heady youth. Once on the nose this offers Provencale herbs that combine with white pepper dusted bacon, green olives and Parma ham notes. The palate is lush and round with a generous mouthfeel and great sense of viscosity. Seriously good in its powerful youth this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2024 Liminal ‘The Barbarous Heart’ Red Wine- A knockout sGSM-inspired blend, the 2024 ‘The Barbarous Heart’ is mainly Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvèdre. Wild herbs and violets mark the nose alongside shades of dark currants and hints of smoked meats with bay leaf. The palate is rich and viscous with a terrific stony and herbal edge. Drink 2026-2038- 96
2024 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2024 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Syrah offers a beguiling nose with cassis, smoked pork shoulder, tar and anise seed. The palate is powerful and viscous with loads of white pepper and beef brisket tones alongside green olive tapenade. Refined on the mouth with a luxurious texture, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 97
2024 Avennia ‘Justine’ Red Wine- The gorgeous 2024 ‘Justine’ combines 60% Grenache with 26% Mourvèdre and the remainder Syrah. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside shades of venison and red licorice. The palate is fresh and lithe with terrific texture and verve alongside a brilliant core of red fruits with orange zest notes. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2024 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah- All coming from the Boushey Vineyard, the 2024 ‘Arnaut’ offers a cornucopia of aromatics from white pepper dusted bacon to black olives and green herbs alongside shades of Hoisin sauce. The palate is impeccably balanced with serious finesse and weight. A glorious bottling that is up there with the finest ‘Arnaut’ bottlings yet, enjoy this stunner now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2044- 97
2023 Avennia ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes entirely from the Avennia Estate Vineyard. This comes off marvelously floral with red and black rose petals alongside tar, sandalwood, anise and creme de cassis notes. The palate is exceedingly delicious with terrific mouthfeel, weight and verve. The tension and scorched earth notes really impress. Drink 2026-2042- 96