2015 Avennia Gravura

JebDunnuck.com

• By Jeb Dunnuck
  Latest Releases from Washington State, 4/5/2018, (See more on JebDunnuck.com...)

  (Avennia Gravura) Login and sign up and see review text.

JamesSuckling.com

• By James Suckling
  3/18/2018, (See more on JamesSuckling.com...)

  (Avennia Columbia Valley Gravura, Red, United States) Login and sign up and see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

• By Richard Hemming, MW
  3/13/2018, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)

  (Avennia, Gravura Columbia Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text.

• By Stephen Tanzer
  Washington: Various Shades of Hot (Oct 2017), 10/1/2017, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Avennia Red Wine Gravura Washington Red) Login and sign up and see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Avennia, 8/1/2018

  (Avennia Gravura) Hello friends. Avennia feels like a staple in Washington wine—a top dog that helped build this industry from the ground up. The winery’s focused and sophisticated vibe plays a big part in this perception, but the reality is that Avennia only debuted its first set of releases in 2012. Granted, that release was met with with loads of buzz and and subsequent vintages have only helped their star to rise. You may remember some of the praise during their initial set of releases back in 2012: From Stephen Tanzer (Tanzer’s IWC): This was the best set of new wines I tasted in Washington in July, but given their pedigree this should not come as a surprise. Then from David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): …one ought to sign up for some [Avennia wine] immediately if they have not all already been spoken for, because this is one auspicious debut! Paul even wrote about Avennia for Seattle Magazine, and since they’ve launched, we’ve offered the vast majority of Avennia wines presented to us. Chris Peterson’s winemaking is deeply compelling. The wines of Avennia retain the character of Washington’s terroir and yet present this sense of ribald, euro-styled earthiness that is a bit more unusual in these climes. These are beautiful, ageworthy wines, year in and year out.At $38 (the winery’s release price), Gravura is an exceptional value. At just over $30, where we have it today, it’s outrageous. For list members who usually max out at $20 or $25 per bottle, I’d heartily encourage a splurge here. Gravura seriously over-delivers its price point. The wine is an homage to Bordeaux, specifically Graves, and in 2015 the blend is 47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc. It comes from an impeccable list of all-star vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Willow, Bacchus, and Dionysus; Merlot from Klipsun, Boushey, and Red Willow; Cab Franc from Bacchus and Champoux. That is a lot of classy old-vine material for the tariff. Native yeast fermented and raised in 50% new French oak, this clocks in at 14.6% listed alcohol. Wine Advocate: Copyrighted material withheld.