2016 Pirouette Red Blend

2017 2017 Pirouette

$65.00 / Bottle Sold Out

Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, used small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend.

Tasting Notes:

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The 2017 Pirouette has an expressive nose with a firm core of dark fruit and mocha flavors, displaying a layered concentration of black cherry and well-integrated oak spices. Vibrant and full-bodied across the mid-palate, this is a texturally pleasing wine with a broad and lengthy finish.

96 Points

The 2017 Pirouette checks in as 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot. Gorgeous crème de cassis, crushed flowers, white chocolate, and espresso notes all give way to a full-bodied, thrillingly textured, layered red that has terrific tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It can be drunk today but will develop additional complexity with 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more.

— Jeb Dunnuck
96 Points

Winemakers Philippe Melka & Agustin Huneeus, Sr joined forces to create this stunning left-bank Bordeaux blend that is aged 22 months in French oak barrels with 85% being new. I was surprised that the oak doesn’t overpower the wine, but the exact opposite is true. The oak spices and tannins are perfectly inline and integrated with the acidity and fruit characteristics which all meld perfectly together. Crafted from a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, the nose screams cinnamon sugar toast, blackberry stems, black plum, blue raspberry and sagebrush. A layered and expressive palate of black plum, fresh boysenberry, spiced apple cider, mocha powder, ground cloves and toast create a wine that is very fruit forward on the nose but ends more savory on the palate. This wine will age for several decades, is highly recommended and punches way above its price point.

— International Wine Report
94 Points

Deep ruby in color, the 2017 Pirouette is an instant success on the nose with scents of juicy plums, cassis, dark cherry compote and blackberry essence. The nose continues with seamless oak tones of vanilla and cinnamon that compound with elements of juicy tobacco and fresh violets. Full-bodied, the wine explodes on the palate with a kaleidoscope of red and black fruit flavors, a spicy undercurrent and a firm tannic structure that will lend to its longevity. The wine concludes with bitter dark chocolate flavors, dark cherry skin essence and elevated alcohol. This wine is smoking at this price. I want more!

— Wine Advocate
93 Points

Pure, dark scents of cassis, black cherry, licorice and bitter chocolate are complicated by violet and loam notes. Very suave, smooth and juicy on entry, then perfumes the mouth with red and darker berries, spices, menthol, dark chocolate and flowers. At once savory and sweet, this Bordeaux blend boasts excellent definition and lift but also attractive pliancy in the middle palate.

— Stephen Tanzer
Varietal Composition 58% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot 13% Malbec 9% Petit Verdot
Acid .59g/100ml
PH 3.86
Alcohol 14.9%

Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon, primarily sourced from a collection of Red Mountain’s best vineyards, gives Pirouette the structure and textured richness that has come to characterize this acclaimed growing region. A small percentage of old vine Cabernet from Sagemoor Vineyard, planted in 1972, adds complexity. Merlot brings juicy richness to the finished wine. Malbec from Sonnet Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills adds spice. Finally, Dionysus Vineyard’s Petit Verdot enhances the wine’s color and contributes to the wine’s layers of intense aromas and flavors.

Explore Past Pirouette Vintages in The Library →