The Peacemaker!  The tail of the first sip is just the beginning...

'20 Obelisco Merlot Tasting Notes

AVA: Red Mountain

Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyards: 100% Obelisco 

Case Production: 246 cases

Aging: 36% new oak; 100% French

Tasting Notes: Merlot is the hidden gem of Washington winemaking.  It is unique in comparison to Merlot from other parts of the world with a bigger, bolder structure and intense concentration.  It is also perfectly suited for being grown in the Columbia Valley with our warm days and cool autumn nights.  The 2020 Merlot has fruit aromas of blueberry, plum, and raspberry along with hints of violets.  On the palate, subtle backing spice and espresso aromas are revealed.  The texture is opulent and silky at first, but abundant tannin helps to keep the wine tight and focused.   

Cellaring: Washington State Merlot is drinkable now, showing youthful red fruit and a fine grain texture.  If you enjoy aging your wine, the natural acidity and bountiful tannin structure of this Merlot will allow it to age gracefully for 15-18 years.

Production: The fruit for this wine comes from Obelisco Vineyard on Red Mountain. The densely planted vineyard produces low crop per vine and small berries which promote intense flavors and excellent concentration.  The cool fermentation temperatures and long oak maturation help to mellow the abundant natural tannin found in Red Mountain wines.

Harvest notes: 2020 was a warm year in the vineyard, but early fruit set led to a long growing season and excellent hang time. Yields were high in the early part of the season allowing us to thin the crop keeping only the best clusters to fully ripen through the summer months. The sugars and flavors developed evenly and the prototypical cool Autumn evenings on Red Mountain allowed the grapes to retain their natural acidity and freshness. These conditions allowed us to pick the grapes at the perfect moment leading to wines with wonderful concentration and fully ripe fruit flavors.

The big 2019 Cabernet is here! This one is unforgettable.

A Red Mountain Late Harvest Cabernet? Yes, the rumors are true. It is one-of-a-kind, sweet and 100% Red Mountain Cabernet. 

A Super Tuscan style Sangio that has the beautiful flavors of Sangiovese and the mouthfeel of Obelisco.  

2021 OBELISCO Syrah

AVA: Red Mountain

Winemaker: Ken Abbott

Blend: 88% Syrah, 11% Cabernet, 11% Merlot

Vineyards: Red Heaven, Obelisco 

Bottling: 405 cases  

Alcohol: Use alcohol listed on label

Barrels: 30% new; 100% French

Tasting Notes: The wine has intense, dark purple color, with aromas of bramble berry, cocoa, black pepper, and baking spice. On the palate, the texture is lush and silky allowing this wine to be inviting, but also versatile.  It can stand up to roasted meats, but also pair beautifully with more earthy dishes like mushroom risotto.  

Cellaring: Syrah is a youthful grape showing bright fruit and a silky texture.  It is drinkable immediately, but if you enjoy aging your wine, the natural acidity and concentration of this Syrah will allow it to age gracefully for 10-15 years. 

Production: The fruit for this wine is from Red Heaven on Red Mountain and is the Sara Lee clone. Traditionally, this clone is a more fruit forward Syrah, with subtle aromas of black pepper and spice.  During fermentation we carefully monitored temperatures to enhance the black fruit characters, while still producing a Syrah with a classic, silky texture.  Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were added from the Obelisco vineyard to add complexity, structure and balance.

Harvest notes: 2021 was a warm year in Washington State.  The heat dome that occurred in June reduced berry size and cluster size producing wines with amazing intensity.  The vines managed the heat stress well and the grapes ripened evenly and sugars and flavors developed in balance.  In typical fashion, September and October were cool, allowing the grapes to retain acidity and freshness.  The 2021 wines show classic Washington ripeness matched with elegance and brightness.  

2023 Obelisco Sauvignon Blanc

AVA: Columbia Valley 

Blend: 76% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon

Vineyards: Gamache and Dionysus

Case Production: 125 cases

Aging: 6 months in Neutral French Oak

Tasting Notes: This wine shows classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lemon zest and grapefruit.  On the palate, the citrus flavors carry through and are accompanied by the riper notes from the Semillon including fresh melon, fig, and a subtle savory note.  This wine is medium bodied and shows balanced freshness and ripeness.   

Cellaring: This classic Bordeaux style white wine is lively and fresh and meant to be enjoyed within the first 3 years.  However, if you enjoy aged white wines, this wine has plenty of acidity and concentration to last in your cellar for up to 7 years.

Production: The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon were co-fermented in stainless steel but aged in neutral French oak for 6 months.  The wine was kept on the full lees while in barrel to add roundness to the palate and complexity to the flavor profile. 

Harvest: The 2023 growing season started off cool, with bud break and bloom about 2-3 weeks behind the 50-year average.  The Columbia Valley had a near idyllic Summer with only 1 week of temperatures over 100^oF.  This allowed for slow and measured ripening.  Temperatures remained steady through August, and with slightly below average crop levels, harvest began throughout the valley in late August.  As usual, September and October were sunny with cool nights, allowing the grapes to retain their natural acidity and retain their freshness.

2021 Obelisco Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon

AVA: Red Mountain

Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Malbec

Vineyards: 100% Obelisco 

Case Production: 416 cases

Aging: 100% French oak, 50% new

Tasting Notes: Electrum is wine that embodies beauty and grace.  It has quiet confidence, and it is a representation of everything that the Obelisco Estate Vineyard has to offer. Deep ruby red in color with aromas of ripe cherry, red currant, dark chocolate.  A sip reveals a silky texture on the front of the tongue, bountiful but restrained tannins, and a long, complex finish.  The wine shows focus of flavor and a lively freshness that will allow for graceful aging.  

Cellaring: This red blend is drinkable now, showing youthful fruit and a silky texture.  If you enjoy aging your wine, the natural acidity and tannin structure of this Cabernet based wine will allow it to age gracefully for 20-30 years.

Production: The fruit for this wine comes from Obelisco Vineyard on Red Mountain. The densely planted vineyard produces fewer clusters per vine and small berries which promote intense flavors and excellent concentration.  The cool fermentation temperatures and 18 months in oak help to mellow the abundant natural tannin found in Red Mountain wines.

Harvest notes: 2021 was a warm year in Washington State.  The heat dome that occurred in June reduced berry size and cluster size producing wines with amazing intensity.  The vines managed the heat stress well and the grapes ripened evenly, and sugars and flavors developed in balance.  In typical fashion, September and October were cool, allowing the grapes to retain acidity and freshness.  The 2021 wines show classic Washington ripeness matched with elegance and brightness.

The wait is over! The 2023 Obelico Rose' of Cabernet is here!