Musing Impulse: New Wine by Avennia

Fellow wine lovers, based on the feedback you’ve given, the wines of Avennia are clearly on the favorite list of the Impulse crowd. Their inaugural release of Bordeaux blends was among our first several offerings last June (click here to read that original offering), then we offered their Rhone style wines when they were released last winter (click here to recap that second offering). Now we have not only the second vintage of both their Bordeaux blends, but we are also debuting their brand new dry Rosé.

Avennia 2013 l'Egerie Dry Rosé $24.99

The “l'Egerie” Rosé is named for the French word meaning “The Muse,” as it is bound to inspire many leisurely afternoons of sipping and relaxing. It’s made using the traditional Provencal grape varieties, 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvedre, and just a few sips will practically transport you to a sunny day in the South of France.

Put your nose in the glass and you’ll get the essence of wild spring-time flowers and fresh strawberries. The palate is light-medium bodied, with flavors of watermelon, ripe berries, and orange blossoms with hints of minerality and a refreshingly crisp finish. It’s not typical to age rosé, but if you put this one in the cellar and forgot about it for a year or so, I’m betting it would turn out pretty nice.

Avennia only made 125 cases of their “l'Egerie” Rosé, almost all of which was immediately spoken for, which means they are able to offer us a mere 18 bottles.

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Vineyard: Alder Ridge, Upland, and Heart of the Hill
Grapes: 65% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre
Drinkability: Now through 2015
Body: Light-Medium
Drink This if you Like: Rosé from Provence (South of France)
Food Pairings: Carpaccio, Cured Salmon, prawns
Production: 125 cases
Availability: 18 bottles

Avennia 2011 Gravura Bordeaux Style Blend $34.99

Now on the second vintage of what is their most popular wine, the Gravura is a bottle which can appeal to most anyone. Deep and complex, yet not too heavy, with a beautiful sense of purity in its fruit, balanced by hints of earthiness.

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new French oak for 20 months, this is great for everyday sipping and special occasions alike. The nose starts with fresh, dark, berries and then gives way to hints of herbs and smoke. The palate is very smooth, ready to drink, displaying a wonderful exchange of raspberries, cherries, and plums between the Cabernet and Merlot, with hints of spicy peppers as the Cab Franc chimes in.

Paul Gregutt of the Wine Enthusiast gives the 2011 Gravura 92 points, and we are anticipating perhaps even higher scores to be published by Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate soon.

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Grapes: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc
Aging: 50% new French oak for 20 months
Drinkability: Now-2020, recommend decanting
Body: Medium
Drink This if you Like: Leonetti Cab, DeLille D2, Dunham Trutina
Press: 90-93 Robert Parker, 91+ Tanzer, 92 Wine Enthusiast
Food Pairings: Hanger Steak and Grilled Red Peppers
Production: 600

Avennia 2011 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon Blend $54.99

The Sestina is also on its second vintage, and if the 2010 iteration is any indicator, this wine is built to age. Assembled on old vine fruit coming from Bacchus and Red Willow Vineyards, this flagship red of theirs is something of a big brother to the Gravura, featuring more Cabernet and more new French oak to give it even greater depth of character. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the flavors are comparably darker and bolder, showing juicy black cherries, blackberries, and cassis, with firm tannins which will continue to smooth out with time. Aging in 70% new French oak barrels for 20 months has allowed for a sounding of highly integrated flavors of vanilla, toast, and smoke, while also making this blend fuller bodied than little brother Gravura.

Another round of outstanding scores are given to this 2011 Sestina; Jeb Dunnuck of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate tasted it while still in barrel last June and gave it a projected score of 92-95 points and said the following:

“...additional purity, depth and texture. Made in a savory, age-worthy style, it exhibits classic Bordeaux-like aromas and flavors of blackberry, smoked meat, pencil shavings and spice box to go with a medium to full-bodied, focused and thrillingly textured palate. Firming up on the finish, with integrated acidity and chewy tannic grip, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will shine for 12-15 years or more. Drink 2016-2028.

Founded by Chris Peterson (winemaker and formerly of DeLille Cellars) and Marty Taucher, and releasing their first vintage in 2010, this Woodinville-based operation needs to be on everyone’s radar. The wines are superb across the board and while they have solid fruit, they stress purity and elegance, with vibrant cores of acidity. The 2011 reds are also superb across the board.“

His final scoring of the finished product should be published soon, and it’s expected to be in the higher end, but by then the wine will likely be completely sold out. Avennia made only 250 cases, of which they are able to make only 5 cases available for us to offer on Impulse.

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Vineyard: Bacchus, Red Willow
Grapes: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Aging: 70% new French oak, 20 months
Drinkability: Now-2025, recommend decanting
Body: Medium-Full
Drink This if you like: Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cab, DeLille Chaleur Estate, Leonetti Reserve
Press: 93-95 Robert Parker, 92+ Tanzer, 92 Enthusiast (Cellar Selection)
Food Pairings: Dry Aged Beef wit Marrow, Aged Mimolette Cheese
Production: 250
Availability: 5 cases

Cheers

Yashar Shayan
Certified Sommelier
Founder, Impulse Wine