Leonetti Cellar
Leonetti Cellar was founded by Gary and Nancy Figgins more than 35 years ago. Today, second generation winemaker Chris Figgins continues to produce wines of uncompromising quality that have gained a cult-like following among wine lovers. While continuing to raise the bar for Leonetti Cellar - which has endured for decades as one of the most sought after American wines in the world - Chris is now also bottling small, select lots under his Figgins label. The Figgins family maintains total control over quality and the cultivation process from start to finish - allowing each sip to reflect the deep sense of place and connection to the land that provides their inspiration.
| Website | www.figginsfamily.com/ |
|---|---|
| Address | 1875 Foothills Lane, Walla Walla, 99362 |
| Wine Maker | Gary & Chris Figgins |
| Country | America |
| Region | Washington |
| Appellation | Walla Walla Valley |
From this Winery
After the trifecta of warmer-than-average growing seasons between 2013-2015, it was delightful to return to “normal” weather in 2016. It is a truly fantastic vintage. The only remarkable event was some rain about halfway through our harvest at FIGGINS, which ironically worked in our favor, softening the tannins of the Cabernet (the dominant grape in the blend) in an excellent way. As our Estate Red wine becomes known for its power and long-term aging ability, the 2016 highlights another fantastic characteristic of Figgins Estate Vineyard.much like the 2009 vintage, this wine exhibits immediate approachability and is absolutely delicious upon release. It’s hard for me to believe the 2016 represents our vines in their 13th leaf, but the high-quality results are really becoming evident as the vineyard gains complexity and class with every passing year.
As always, the wine is densely colored to the rim of the glass. The stunningly fragrant nose of blue fruits, cedar, caramel apple, caramel popcorn, flowering rosemary, clove, dried herbs, and apricots is fascinating and complex. Precise mouthfeel, dense fruit, and soft tannin with incredible freshness are hallmarks of the 2016 FIGGINS Estate Red.
Dark ruby color. Classic Sangiovese nose of dark Bing cherries, strawberries, dried rose petals, fresh cream, and a hint of asphalt. Incredibly polished tannins on top of a core of silky fruit and earth notes. A lengthy finish with a lovely, refreshing string of acidity.
Our first release from 2018 is a true marker of this extraordinarily high-quality vintage. Extremely dark and impressively structured. Bursting from the glass are aromatics of roses, other florals, ripe mixed plums, planed cedar, and a creamy cinnamon roll note that is enticingly seductive. The wine is broad and rich on the palate with incredible density of fruit and very fine-grained tannins. In a vintage like this one, the blend simply beckoned to be a 100% Merlot as it needs no support from other Bordeaux varieties. Our exceptional Loess Vineyard fruit makes up a full two-thirds of the blend with the balance contributed by Mill Creek Upland as well as our 40-year-old original block at the Leonetti winery.
Gorgeously saturated color. The bouquet emits bright red fruits, cedar, cassis, anise, and cocoa. The wine has lovely aging potential and is expressive with notes of pencil shavings, vanilla spice, and black currant. Flawlessly balanced on the palate with the perfect harmony of fruit, tannin, and acid.
A penetrating floral bouquet of wild roses, freshly picked blueberries, and leather. Impeccable balance with integrated, dusty tannins. Extraordinarily broad, sweet, and satisfying mid-palate, exuding blackberry, ripe cherry, fig jam, pepper, olive tapenade, and roasted coffee. Long and clean finish Expressive enough to enjoy upon release yet structured to age 20～30 years in your cellar.