Avennia Impulse: Oliane Sauv Blance and Arnaut Syrah

Fellow wine lovers, it’s the first day of fall, but clearly the summer isn’t over as we have yet another beautiful sunny day. Luckily, there are wines which are perfect for both summer and autumn weather, as well and the cuisine of both seasons. One of our favorites, Avennia, has just release a few new vintages, and they’re outstanding as always.

Avennia 2015 “Oliane” Sauvignon Blanc $27.99

Winemaker Chris Peterson says this is Avennia’s best Oliane yet! His Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged for 7 months in 20% new French oak barrels as well as 15% in egg-shaped concrete vessels. We’re continuing to see more and more concrete used in top Washington wines, and Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite grapes for it. Having made Sauvignon Blanc in concrete myself, I really feel it can make a big difference, adding lots of complexity, subtlety, and minerality. The 2015 Oliane exhibits a nose of citrus, toast, and hints of grass. The mouthfeel is very round, with flavors of baked lemons, smoky hints of flint, and grapefruit zest. A really cohesive wine, with well-managed use of oak adding depth and body. Great with fresh seafood and poultry, as well as squash and other hearty fall vegetables.

Region: Yakima Valley AVA, Washington State Wine
Vineyard(s): 60% Boushey Vineyard and 40% Red Willow
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Aging: Barrel Fermented in 20% New French Oak, and 15% Concrete Egg with Native Yeast and Aged Sur Lie for 7 Months
Drinkability: Now through 2019
Body: Medium-Full
Drink This if you Like: Chaleur Blanc, Efeste Feral, White Bordeaux
Food Pairing: Really versatile, most seafood, fowl, cheese
Production: 545 cases

Avennia 2014 “Arnaut” Boushey Vineyard Syrah $49.99

“Up there with the top Syrahs in the vintage” according to Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. He’s arguable one of the top reviewers of Rhone style wines, and he gives the 2014 Arnaut a score of 92-94, when tasting it out of barrel. Jeb Dunnuck goes on to say, “Chris Peterson continues to make incredible wines”, calling him, “One of the rising stars in the wine world”. I couldn’t agree more, as I’ve been following Chris’ career for over a decade now, and he continues to be one of my favorite winemakers in Washington State. With the Arnaut, he goes for a more hands off approach, letting the wine speak for itself. It’s fermented with 15% whole clusters using native yeasts, aged for 16 months in just 15% New French oak, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Arnaut has easily been my number one favorite Washington Syrah for the past several vintages. The 2014 will surely benefit from a little more time in bottle, as it displays firm tannins, densely layered structure and flavor, alongside ripe yet tightly laced fruit notes. There are big raspberry and currant notes, with hints of smoke, game, and savory herbs. As it opens up, flavors of stewed blueberries and stoney earth start coming through. It’s very complex, should age beautifully, and a great companion with food.

Click here to order the Avennia Arnaut Boushey Syrah

Region: Yakima Valley AVA, Washington State Wine
Vineyard(s): 100% Boushey Vineyard
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Aging: 16 Months in 15% New French oak
Drinkability: Now through 2024
Body: Medium-Full
Drink This if you Like: Hermitage, Cote-Rotie,
Press: (92-94) barrel score - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
Food Pairing: Grilled, Smoke, and Roast Meats
Production: 434 cases

Cheers

Yashar Shayan
Certified Sommelier
Founder, Impulse Wine