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Leonetti Cellar

According to Chris Figgins, harvest dates were crucial in 2013, 2014 and 2015. “But 2016 was more like 2012, thanks to the cool-down during the second half of the season," which he believes will make “soft, luscious wines.” Normally, the Leonetti reds have very high levels of anthocyanins, which is why Figgins does not like to use Taransaud barrels, as he says they would result in green, astringent tannins. He likes Boutes best, as he views these as “low-impact” barrels.

It was mostly the 2014 reds that I tasted at Leonetti this summer—a set of wines that Figgins describes as tight today (a year ago, he described them as "user-friendly"). He emphasized that for his consistently outstanding reserve bottling, he’s not necessarily seeking to make the longest-aging wine. “I’m looking for the best balance from the best barrels and blocks,” he explained. “I pretty much ignore varietal composition, and this wine has been as low as 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Figgins has tweaked his other red wines in recent years. He has eliminated his Seven Hills Merlot from his Merlot blend, as this fruit ripens too early. “And the more northern sites in Walla Walla have heavier clay-rich, soils, which are ideal for Merlot," he added. He also noted that he used to co-ferment his Sangiovese with Syrah (as recently as in 2012), as this helped the wine show well earlier. “But that felt like cheating,” he told me. “Today I like the more rustic Italian tannic profile,” which he has emphasized with his use of a bit of Aglianico.

From Washington: Various Shades of Hot (Oct 2017) by Stephen Tanzer

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2014 Sangiovese

Release Price: $70

Color: Red

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2015 Merlot

Release Price: $75

Color: Red

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2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Release Price: $95

Color: Red

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2014 Red Wine Reserve

Release Price: $150

Color: Red

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Leonetti Cellar

2014 Sangiovese

2015 Merlot

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Red Wine Reserve

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