What's in the May issue

The May issue of the Review of Washington Wines goes on line Tuesday, April 25. In it, there will be a lot of exciting new releases. Here's what's included.

Valdemar Estates - There will be three knock-out wines, all scoring 19.5/20 points: the 2021 Dubrul Chardonnay, the 2020 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2020 Klipsun Red Mountain Syrah.

LIMINAL - On April 9, we visited Avennia's Red Mountain tasting room where we tasted the new LIMINAL wines from a collaboration of Avennia and the WeatherEye Vineyard. All the wines were 19.5 or 20/20 points across the board. Also outstanding was the new Avennia 2020 Estate Red Mountain Cabernet, 19.5/20 points.

Rosés - There will be eight new 2022 Rosés. Three standouts are the Aluvé Sangiovese, Kinhaven Cabernet Sauvignon and Gramercy Cellars, all 19/20 points.

New International Wines

2020 Argyle Vintage Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley ($36) - Composed of 54% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier, this displays a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles, and lovely, perfumed aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, red currant, pink roses, pink lilac, orange blossoms and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are gorgeous, with precisely delineated pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and kirsch liqueurs, orange peel and bottle-fermented CO2 and touches of yeast and brioche, followed by a lingering Brut finish. Purchased for $26.99. 19/20 points.

N.V. Domaine Tissot Crémant du Jura ($32.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Brilliant pink-tinged bronze, this sparking wine brings forth frothy bubbles and seductive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, Mandarin orange, cherry blossoms and orange incense. The flavors are well textured, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by cherry stones and Jurassic minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs on the CO2 enlivened bone dry (zero dosage) finish. From 60% Pinot Noir, and 20% each of Poulsard and Trousseau (indigenous grapes). 19/20 points.

2020 Louis & Claude Desvignes Morgon, Côte du Py, "Javennèiers" ($31.99 - wine.com) - This Cru Beaujolais offers a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cerise and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, purple lilac, blood orange and wild violets. The flavors are deliciously supple, with mouth filling red fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, black tea and limestone. The back reveals pressed fruits, roasted nuts, crème de cassis and orange peel, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2021 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Rhône ($17.99 - Safeway) - Purplish ruby colored, this offers rich aromas of raspberry, currant, plum, red roses, pipe tobacco, garrigue, olive and spiced incense. The flavors are ample yet focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and earth. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts and soft charcoal, followed by a savory moderate tannin and acid finish. 18/20 points.

2020 Domaine Le Clos des Lumnières Côtes du Rhône ($17.90 - Foodscape) - This 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah combination shows a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberry, cherry and currant with scents of black roses, lilac, tobacco, thyme, white pepper and spiced incense. The flavors are ample yet focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa and earth. The back picks up kirsch and cassis liqueurs and mocha, followed by a savory, chewy tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas, "Aux Lieu Dits" ($50.99 - Esquin) - Deep purplish-ruby colored, this wine emits intoxicating aromas of blackberries, mountain blueberries, black currants, black roses, dark tobacco, garrigue (a trait of Gigondas), sandalwood, wild violets and spiced incense. The flavors are bold and mouth filling, with black and blue fruits that are infused with licorice, dark cocoa, black tea and Montmirial minerals. The back reveals macerated fruits, creme de cassis and blueberry preserves, followed by a lengthy ripe tannin finish. "That Gigondas style is right there," says Lynn. 19+/20 points. 

2019 Caves de Tain Hermitage Blanc, "Nobles Rives" ($45 - Last Bottle) - I picked this up on a one shot deal off the $75 regular price. Produced from 100% Marsanne, it exhibits a brilliant lemon-gold color and striking aromas of Asian pear-apple, white peach, pink grapefruit, Kaffir lime, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, white lavender and yellow incense. The flavors are simultaneously viscous and laser-like, with vivid white and yellow fruits that are interwoven with pear skins, peach stones and riverside minerals. On the back, the wine gains intensity, with poire and pêche liqueurs, roasted hazelnuts, toffee and lime peel, all followed by an ultra-long semi dried fruit finish. 19.5/20 points. 

2018 Allegrini "Palazzo della Torre" Rosso Veronese ($30) - This north Italian red presents a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, blood orange, crushed rose petals, tobacco, leaf, oregano and stick incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with warm, supple (double fermented) red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, Italian roast and Veronese hillside earth and minerals. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted hazelnuts, raspberry and cherry liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a smooth tannin finish. Safeway: $26.99. 18.5/20 points.

Lynn loves California Chardonnay. Here are a couple she really likes.

2021 Simi Chardonnay, California ($25) - From a historic winery (established 1876) this shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear-apple, white peach, pineapple, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with yellow fruits that are accented by apple skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up pear and peach liqueurs and touches of hazelnut and vanilla, followed by a juicy finish. Safeway: $20.99. 18.5+/20 points. 

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($35) - From a respected winery, this offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of Asian pear-apple, Elberta peach, Key lime, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, vanilla bean and green incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with yellow fruits that are imbued with grape and pear skins, peach stones and coastal minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat and lime zest, followed a lengthy finely juiced finish. Super 1: $29.99. 19/20 points.