Avennia Gravura 2014 750 ml

Another great year for this cuvee, the 2014 Gravura checks in as 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc. And while it’s the entry-level cuvee, it still spent 20 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a plump, rounded, sexy red from Chris that has terrific notes of blackcurrants, leafy herbs and lead pencil. Medium to full-bodied, it shows the house style but in a more forward, early drinking, delicious style.

Some of my favorite wines from Washington unquestionably come from Chris Peterson’s Avennia label. Chris makes a savory, classic, even old-school style of wine that still carries plenty of concentration, freshness and structure. After tasting the 2015s from barrel, Chris told me that while his wines started out big and fruit-forward, they’ve since firmed up. I loved all the barrel samples, and he’s certainly made some of the wines of the vintage. As to his 2014s, most of which were tasted from bottle, these showed brilliantly, and this is a rare estate that makes both world-class Syrahs and world-class Bordeaux blends. Don’t miss these wines!