External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Show more
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.3 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 38 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by tomlee on 10/21/2023 & rated 95 points: Dark as night in color. 14.5% ABV. Sensational nose of black fruits, molten licorice and Whitman Sampler Box. Full bodied and very approachable. Lush, rich and impeccably balanced. Currants, creme de cassis, black raspberry and tobacco on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Incredible Merlot that is aging brilliantly. (474 views) | | | Tasted by PrinceKyrris on 1/31/2023 & rated 93 points: I do not generally enjoy merlot but this was very good. No visual or aromatic signs of being 10 years old. Dark purple. Everything is nicely integrated....acid, tannins, fruit. Dark cherry flavors, hints of cocoa, and a bit of cranberry on the finish. Definitely worth seeking out. Fantastic pairing for homemade beef stroganoff. (806 views) | | | Tasted by GA_Seattle on 12/30/2022 & rated 95 points: Seriously awesome. This is what new world Merlot can become, and WA has a leg up on CA in my opinion. Red fruit is still very prominent but then gives way to dusty earth, minerality and spice notes. Medium acid. Likely in its prime drinking window now but likely could hold up for a year or two at this level. (721 views) | | | Tasted by om42 on 11/29/2021 & rated 94 points: In a perfect place right now. (1784 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 8/22/2021 & rated 94 points: Dark crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Heady nose of black fruits, smoke, scorched earth and Whitman Sampler box. Medium to full bodied with tremendous balance. Power and structure in spades. Black currants, cassis liqueur, dark chocolate and spice on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with silky, fine grained tannins. This Merlot is delicious now but will certainly benefit with more time in the cellar. Best over the next 4-6 years. (1743 views) | | | Tasted by JasonClapp on 1/14/2021 & rated 93 points: Day 1: Nose is full of fruit and spice - can bury my sniffer in it for a while...Palate is dark fruit, spice, graphite, and chocolate. A smooth, well made Merlot. A stand-out representation of WA’s offering of the varietal. Nice tannins; After a little air it just gets softer and increasingly effortless while not compromising the flavor profile. (2221 views) | | | Tasted by cultdrinker on 12/27/2020 & rated 89 points: I have to agree with wino's January 2020 review on this one. The wine I tasted from this variety was nothing fantastic. Somewhat of a disappointment in that I have tended to always enjoy the wines from Leonetti. Not much flavor and somewhat bland. I chalk this one up to just my luck (and apparently wino's as well) to get one of what I have to imagine was a bad bottle. (1772 views) | | | Tasted by goodvitis.com on 10/12/2020 & rated 92 points: No formal notes. Broad, sturdy merlot with great minerality and earthy notes, balances nicely with dark fruit. Classic Walla Walla profile. Nice depth and acid. Just lacks a wow factor. Very good now, probably entering a 3-5 year prime drinking window. (2011 views) | | | Tasted by lesz on 7/25/2020 & rated 92 points: Nice fruit very enjoyable (1489 views) | | | Tasted by wino121 on 1/5/2020 & rated 89 points: Vinturied into decant, consumed over 4 hours,
Dark Walla Walla fruit that missies the mark here, a big wine with no real dominant structure.
I was expecting a more rounded effort, this became tannic and slightly acidic toward the end of the night.
If anything It could be a few years off the drinking window.(young), or it outside the window (old)!
The chocolate dessert saved this from the drain.
I’d wait and try the next one in 2022-25
Horrible QPR... (1935 views) | | | Tasted by stevetsukuno on 9/14/2019: Gift to Don (1621 views) | | | Tasted by om42 on 4/20/2019 & rated 92 points: Very good but, expected a bit more body for the price point. Still super tasty and this is a mild criticism (1792 views) | | | Tasted by chanote44 on 4/14/2019 & rated 88 points: Nice Merlot but terrible QPR. There are much better bottles out there for far less. Over-rated. (1708 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 1/13/2019 & rated 90 points: Minnesota Valley Merlot wines tasting (Jason's house): At a merlot tasting, this wine had more structure than most. It had the same flavor profile as the rest of the merlots, soft red fruit, some tannin, sweet toasted vanilla oak. (1935 views) | | | Tasted by Chapel on 12/21/2018 & rated 92 points: Powerful merlot with really long finish. However it was easily overpowered by truffle cheese. Fruit paired well. Lovely mature Merlot (1395 views) | | | Tasted by mats13 on 7/28/2018 & rated 93 points: No formal notes taken other than the score. (1735 views) | | | Tasted by Don and Pam on 11/18/2017 & rated 94 points: going a bit crazy here with five opened and decanted at the same time. Wonderful Merlot, has many years left to enjoy (2382 views) | | | Tasted by drdan8 on 10/24/2016 & rated 92 points: I have to echo the sentiment of several of the previous posters; this is a well made, mellow, and easy drinking Walla Walla Merlot. Poured a deep ruby to the stem. Nice bouquet of bright cherry, charcoal, and red fruit overtones. Medium / full on the palate with cherry notes predominating. Not overly complex but very easy drinking. Would pair well with most simple meat dishes. (3828 views) | | | Tasted by ungerlei on 2/21/2016 & rated 93 points: Perhaps a bit young, but very nice fruit and balance. Enjoyed simply by itself. Simply a nice wine. Not a blockbuster, but a solid and enjoyable experience. Would be nice with spicy food--it has a nice sweetness to it. But, you could simply enjoy as we did; a nice Sunday evening with family (4139 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 12/19/2015: Wow, what a nose. Just stunning. (4274 views) | | | Tasted by wine65 on 7/5/2015 & rated 92 points: I tend to prefer Leonetti Merlot on the younger side. Dark red color, nose of dark fruit, oak spice. On palate dark fruit, vanilla, sweet spices with chocolate and velvety tannins on the finish. Will give 2-3 years to better integrate (4422 views) | | | Tasted by Don and Pam on 6/3/2015 & rated 93 points: decanted and enjoyed. Had to give this a try early and not
disappointed. very good right now and should hold for years to come. (3576 views) | | | Tasted by perlasteve on 5/4/2015 & rated 92 points: Tasted at release. beautifully dark, nose of dark fruits, medium to full body, lots of tannins, moderately complex, some savory notes, long finish. This one will last for years. Beautiful merlot. (3080 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Washington Turns Up the Heat (Nov 2015) (11/1/2015)
(Leonetti Cellar Merlot Washington) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Hemming, MW
JancisRobinson.com (5/31/2015)
(Leonetti Merlot Walla Walla Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com. (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.MerlotMerlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.USAAmerican 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. |
|
