--6 Bottles-- 2013 Avennia Justine Red Wine, Columbia Valley RP--92

Robert Parker: 92 Points
eRobertParker.com #225 Jun 2016 Jeb Dunnuck 92 Drink: 2015 - 2023 $43-$50 (40) The 2013 Justine (47% Grenache, 38% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah) gives up lots of Kirsch and black raspberry fruit as well as classic wild herbs, licorice, and spice aromas and flavors. Sexy, gorgeously layered and with fine tannin, it has a great finish and will drink well through 2023. Washington state needs more of these consumer-friendly, balanced and hard to resist efforts. One of the rising stars in the wine world, winemaker Chris Peterson continues to make incredible wines under his Avennia label. These are classic, firm, even a touch austere wines that will reward cellaring. Looking at the different releases, he divides the lineup into a Bordeaux blend range (the white Oliane, the entry level Gravura, the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Sestina, and the Merlot heavy Valery) and a Rhone blend range (the GSM Justine, the Syrah based Le Corbeau, and the Syrah Boushey Vineyard Arnaut). These are made in tiny quantities but are worth the effort to track down!