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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93.8 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 44 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by kerv22 on 4/22/2024 & rated 96 points: Extremely impressive wine. Tasting notes from previous reviewers are spot-on. I think this is at it's peak now, but has a solid 2-3 years remaining before the fruit starts to fade. (46 views) | | | Tasted by kvls08@gmail.com on 1/10/2023 & rated 95 points: Remarkable Reserve with easy 3 years b4 peak. Round, forward dark fruits in a compexity that us incredible. (608 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 3/5/2022 & rated 97 points: Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Breathtaking nose of red fruits, leather, scorched earth and cigar box. Rich, concentrated and powerful. Perfect balance of fruit and tannins. Currants, cassis liqueur, plums and tobacco on the palate. Impressive length on the finish. Brilliant wine that is shining at twenty years of age. This will drink well for years to come and I'll open my last bottle in 2027. (1029 views) | | | Tasted by PIFGD on 10/22/2021 & rated 92 points: Decanted for 1.5-2 hours. Still drinking great and bright ripe fruit. Great juice and still has 3-5+ years left if cellared properly. (1071 views) | | | Tasted by noblerot23 on 2/9/2021 & rated 95 points: 2002 Leonetti Cellar Reserve Walla Walla Valley (Washington)
This deep ruby blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 17% Petit Verdot wafts walls of cherry, cedar, toffee and tar. Major black cherry and cassis on the taste with mounds of mocha and vanilla. Good wood too (in the winemaking sense, not as in a certain segment of the film industry). An absolute monster on a slackline, massive yet exceptionally balanced. A force of elegance. Warm and wonderful despite the 14.5% alcohol. Lingers longer than a door-to-door canvasser. Dare I say spiritually special (thank you John for this very special gift). (1309 views) | | | Tasted by wiscgrad on 12/24/2020 & rated 95 points: Exquisite older bdx blend. No signs of fading (1264 views) | | | Tasted by WizardNeedsFood on 8/1/2020: 1 hour decant. Flat and unrepresentative of what the Reserve typically offers. Perhaps off bottle? 2001 and 2003 still drinking very well. (965 views) | | | Tasted by Stirling on 3/30/2019 & rated 96 points: Dark red with little fade at the rim. The aromas took some time to unfurl but when they did they showed gorgeous black cherry, blackberry, baking spice and a touch of menthol. Medium+ body this wine has a terrific mouthfeel that is rich and plush and defined by the barely noticeable ripe tannins. A total sexy beast! www.advinetures.ca (1377 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 7/29/2018: This seemed slightly off compared to previous bottles, so will not rate it. (1561 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 5/26/2018 & rated 94 points: Decanted and served. Beautifully aged Washington Bordeaux blend with deep black fruit and a hint of candied kumquat on the palate. This is singing and the "+" that both Rovani and Tanzer gave this wine on release has definitely come to fruition. If those of you who own the 1189 bottles of this in your cellars don't like it please send over a few. Otherwise what are you waiting for? (1590 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 10/28/2017 & rated 97 points: Amazing wine, right out of the bottle. Has a brightness and lift, black and red fruit. The quality of the fruit is extraordinary and there is a broad swath of furry dryness on the finish that is so elegant and captivating. Delicious and satisfying in every way. (2059 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 9/9/2017 & rated 95 points: Dark crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 17% Petite Verdot all from estate vineyards. Gorgeous nose of blue and black fruits, molten licorice and cassis liqueur. Plush and silky. Medium to full bodied. Blueberry, black cherry, currants, pencil and baking spices on the palate. The finish is long and graceful with fine grained tannins. One of the very best Cabernet Sauvignon based wines being made in Washington. Aging beautifully. Drink over the next 5-7 years. (1965 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 8/15/2017 & rated 96 points: Glorious wine - one of the very best American Bordeaux blends I've had in quite a while. So seductive and captivating - it draws you in. There is intensity and assertiveness but also an ease and grace. Nothing is faded. There is a saltiness that I've noticed before in this wine and also in the regular bottling of Quilceda Creek - I find it very welcome. I had some older Leonetti Merlots recently and the results were mixed. This is firing on all cylinders though. What a beauty. 96+pts. (1761 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 5/20/2017 & rated 92 points: Leonetti Cellar Round Table Tasting (Knightsbridge - Northbrook IL): Tasting, brief note. Slightly more aromatic complexity than the 2005 just tasted with some earth, bigger spice and cigarbox, alongside black cherry, plum and cassis, all maturing nicely. Good weight and balance, even if not as much concentration as the 2005 now. (2207 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 3/19/2017 & rated 96 points: Captivating as always. There is a prominent, grainy sweetness at first but it falls away soon after, revealing a delicious, sumptuous wine that's deep and penetrating. (1863 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 2/14/2017 & rated 96 points: Similar to previous notes. This needs about 1.5 hours to properly show what it has. There is a lovely grainy, gritty, sweet texture to this wine which is unusual but welcome. Red fruit is pronounced with a weight and intensity that is beautiful. There's so much energy, vibrancy and vitality to this cab; it's scintillating. There is purpose but also ease and grace. The cooler climate of Walla Walla vs. Napa is evident and is a welcome different style, and what a style it is; this is a gem. (1681 views) | | | Tasted by John McCabe on 1/11/2017 & rated 95 points: Harmonious. This had a grainy, sugary texture at first that didn't bode well, but it quickly evolved, losing any simplistic sugary profile and turned more mineral-driven with more energy, detail and purity. There is an acidity which really provides a kind of electric vibrancy to the mix. Medium-bodied, slightly oily, taking on increasing savory notes with increasing secondary and tertiary aspects. There is a rare beauty to this; very satisfying. Would be difficult to get tired of this. 95+pts. (1654 views) | | | Tasted by devman on 10/10/2016: Still holding up very well and has many years of life left. We popped and poured it, but it got better and better with air. Fair amount of sediment, so decanting would be ideal. (1656 views) | | | Tasted by Wine12345 on 7/10/2014 & rated 94 points: Great wine just hitting its stride at 12 years. Opened 4 hours before drinking; helped greatly. (3364 views) | | | Tasted by devman on 2/27/2014 & rated 96 points: Probably the best Leonetti wine I have ever had. Beautifully structured, fantastically balanced, and incredibly food friendly. The oak is prominent on the nose, but on the palate it takes a backseat to the fantastic dark fruits, leather, acidity and tannin. It's still quite youthful and only got better with time in the decanter. Amazing wine. (3519 views) | | | Tasted by Tom Myers on 2/14/2014 & rated 92 points: Excellent but not as good as I expected for an aged reserve wine from this esteemed winery (3460 views) | | | Tasted by f22nickell on 11/11/2013 & rated 92 points: Same as my last review, but this bottle was a bit closed off. Perhaps it was the Pop n Pour. Still, this was the only bottle at the table that was empty at the end of the night. Love this wine! If I could afford to, Leonetti would be my consistent "go to" daily drinker. (3616 views) | | | Tasted by SadEdjo on 10/19/2013 & rated 92 points: Decanted 1 hour. Dark colour. Powerful cassis nose. Well integrated sweet tannins provide a silky smooth entry into cassis, tar & cedar landing with a very subtle hint of dill. Still youthful, it has many years ahead of it (3522 views) | | | Tasted by f22nickell on 9/11/2013 & rated 94 points: Seattle Wine Group - Sep 2013 Tasting - Theme: Aged WA Bordeaux Blends (Amaroso Room - Wine Storage Bellevue): Setting: Bottle “H” in the blind tasting. Notes were taken before I knew the wine identity.
Sight: This wine is cloudy, with some evidence of gas, but no particles. Color is medium ruby all the way to the edge. Medium concentration of color. Legs are medium width and move quickly down the glass.
Nose: This wine does not smell flawed. Strong intensity. Aromas are of tart blue fruit, primarily blueberries but some blackberry as well. This wine has secondary notes of mint and eucalyptus. I do detect some use of oak, but it is perfectly integrated and very complementary. No alcohol detected on the nose.
Palate: This wine is lush, medium bodied. The palate has flavors of blueberries, blackberries, coffee, and vanilla. The blueberry flavors scream Leonetti. The fruit is laser focused, but not overbearing. The fruit, wood, and secondary notes are in perfect harmony. Mouthfeel is very silky smooth, lush. Just a hint of heat.
Structure: This wine is dry. Acid is medium. Alcohol is medium. Tannins are medium and perfectly integrated. Finish is very long. Complexity is high. This wine is integrated very well on every level.
Conclusion: This wine has to be my offering, the 2002 Leonetti Reserve, Walla Walla Valley. Leonetti’s tell tale blueberry notes are immediately recognizable. High quality producer.
Final Conclusion: This is wine is very well made. This wine is perfectly integrated and balanced. The primary and secondary flavors, in conjunction with the acid, alcohol, and tannins, are all in harmony and support each other. Very complex, the incredibly long finish keeps evolving. My favorite of the lineup.
My Ranking: 1st out of 8 bottles
Group Ranking: 1st (tie) out of 8 bottles. (3005 views) | | | Tasted by michaelgor on 9/4/2012 & rated 94 points: decanted one hour..Riedel Vinum Cab glass....good deep red color..a hint of brown around the meniscus...nose of dark stone fruit, bing cherry, some vanilla..some dark chocolate (? merlot), some eucalyptus. a wonderfully silky mouth feel, well integrated fruit/tannin, a full mid palate and finish..though a little hot on the finish..this was a surprisingly delicious wine in its prime..would not hold much longer as I fear it will begin to fade...my wife, who does not normally enjoy Washington State wines was amazed (3013 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Eric Guido
Vinous, Making History: 21 Vintages of Leonetti’s Red Wine Reserve (Oct 2023) (10/1/2023)
(Leonetti Cellar Red Wine Reserve Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2005, IWC Issue #123
(Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Walla Walla Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Leonetti Cellar Producer website
For more than 30 years, the Figgins Family has been producing wines of consistently high quality at Leonetti Cellar, which was bonded in 1977 by Founders Gary and Nancy Figgins. What started as Gary’s vision to make world-class wines in Walla Walla has turned out to be a true American success story. Today, Leonetti Cellar produces some of the most sought after wines in the world.Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.Reserve The Wine News | Wine Country This Week | Wine Lover's PageUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Walla Walla ValleyThe name translates as easily as it rolls off the tongue: Walla Walla. Many Waters. To the earliest Native tribes, the many waters came from the nearby Blue Mountains and gathered to form the Walla Walla River on its way to join the Columbia to the west. The waters flowed first; however, into a fair-sized Valley carved in the mountain's foothills, and bordered in part by the terrain of what is known as the Columbia Plateau. Tribal members knew the Valley's generally milder climate could maintain their people in winter villages. There were lush wild grasses which could sustain horses and attract game from the winter snows of the nearby Blues, or from the giant high plateau that becomes desolate and dangerous during the cold season. The rolling terrain and numerous watersheds offered protection from nature and other hazards of the day. Here the water was plentiful and full of fish and seldom froze, even in the coldest years. The meadows were wonderful places to gather with other people to trade, compete and celebrate treaties. Compared to the region around them, the Walla Walla Valley was a safe refuge from the treacherous conditions which can often be found during the winter for hundreds of miles around. In this unique growing region, most of the earliest records of grapes and winemaking reference the Italians who had immigrated here in the mid to late 1800's and who brought with them their tradition of growing, making and drinking wine. Vines with these origins still exist in the Valley today. The first post-prohibition winery was Blue Mountain Vineyards. It was bonded in 1950 by the Pesciallo family where they produced Black Prince and other Italian varietal wines for a period of several years before succumbing to economics and climate. To the wine world of today, Walla Walla has become know for the quality and style of its red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Syrah gaining notoriety in recent years. In the1970's, the pioneers of today's wine community began to think similar thoughts: that the Walla Walla Valley, with its long history of fruit growing, moderate climate, wine-making heritage, and interesting terrain might just be a place to grow vines and make wine on a commercial scale. These pioneers of the region applied for and received approval of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1984. It was the third in Washington State and also includes a portion of land in Oregon. In the time leading to the recognition of the appellation, four wineries had been bonded starting with Leonetti Cellar, and shortly thereafter, Woodward Canyon. L'Ecole Nº 41 and Waterbrook soon followed. In addition to the smaller vineyards that were being planted, the Valley's first large-scale, commercial vineyard Seven Hills was established. By the time the BATF recognized the Walla Walla Valley AVA, the Valley was beginning to gain attention from within the wine industry, as well as attracting publicity from journalists and media outside the region. The foundation for today’s industry had been laid and the benchmark for quality had been set. In addition, fruit from the area was now being harvested and a baseline for understanding the local growing conditions was being constructed. Every few years another winery would join the fold and take up the challenge of producing the highest quality wine and the growing of outstanding fruit. Seven Hills Winery and Patrick M. Paul each got their start during this time. More vines were added, although acreage increases were small each year. The industry was small and everyone knew everyone else involved, while the welcome mat remained out for any newcomers. Growers and winemakers alike regularly shared time in the cellar or at the table and together learned more about wines and vines. By 1990 there were just six wineries and the Valley's grape acreage stood at perhaps 100 acres. The total collective production of wine was microscopic by any measure, but it was the quality that was being noticed by many inside and outside the trade. As the tiny trickle of wine produced in the Walla Walla AVA began to flow to the outside world, a "wine renaissance" was beginning to happen globally. The Pacific Northwest had staked a claim in this new wine world and as people learned about the region, they also began to hear about Walla Walla. This interest spread rapidly to those with Walla Walla connections. The early 1990s saw the planting of more vines and the establishment of another large-scale vineyard, Pepper Bridge. At the same time, a group of local investors, working closely with the Napa based Chalone Wine group, laid the foundation for Canoe Ridge Vineyard, the Valley's first winery supported in part by a major outside investor. As the industry has grown, many new wineries have gotten their start in the arms of an established winery. Waterbrook Winery's modern production facility started the trend, sharing space, equipment, and any help needed. Other wineries also adopted “extra guests,” a practice that has helped form close, personal relationships throughout the local industry. By the turn of the new century, the Walla Walla Valley wine industry had 22 wineries and 800 acres of grapes. In the year 2000 the AVA had been expanded back to the original boundaries proposed in the1984 application. The year 2000 also saw the formation of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance with 100% of the Valley's wineries and 98% of the Valley's planted acreage represented. Today, more than 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries and more than 1,200 acres of Walla Walla Valley grapes contribute to the ever growing, international acclaim garnered by the wines of this newly-emerging region of Washington State. |
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