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2012 Leonetti

You've never heard of Leonetti? Robert Parker has:

“Leonetti Cellar is unquestionably Washington state’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon producer.” 

And as you know, Robert Parker is God. Do you really want to leave this newsletter disagreeing with God?

Karen Mcneil (author the Wine Bible) loves them too:

“The greatest wine estate in Washington State, Leonetti Cellar is one of the best in the United States.” 

First God and now the bible. If John Lennon were alive he would say Leonetti is bigger than Jesus.  
Let's not get carried away. Below is my offering from this fine estate in this more than fine vintage. Quantities are limited:

2013 Leonetti Merlot:  $91.99
94 Points WA
  “The only 2013 I was able to taste from Leonetti, the 2013 Merlot (includes 8% Cabernet Franc) is a blockbuster from this team that’s certainly one of the best examples of this variety in the state. Giving up gorgeously pure notes of blackcurrants, licorice, charcoal and Asian spice, this medium to full-bodied beauty has a voluptuous, layered and seamless texture, building, fine tannin and a terrific finish. Seeing 15 months in new and once-used French oak (small barrels, puncheons and oval botti), it will have 20 years of longevity.” 


2012 Leonetti Sangiovese:  $84.99
94 Points WA  
  “The finest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2012 Walla Walla Sangiovese exhibits brilliant black cherry, dusty spice, leather and crushed herb-like qualities to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, exceedingly pure profile on the palate. The blend here is 80% Sangiovese, 12% Syrah and 8% Aglianico, all of which spent 22 months in neutral puncheons and oval botti. I don’t have much experience with track record of this variety, but I’ve no doubt this will continue to evolve nicely for at least another decade.” 

2012 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon:  $114.99
96 Points WA  
  “The 2012 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is similar to the Reserve, yet slightly more elegant and streamlined at present. Made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that spent 22 month in new and once-used French oak, it exhibits terrific aromatics of leafy herbs, spring flowers, violets, lead pencil shavings and ample cassis and black raspberry-style fruit. Full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, with a stacked mid-palate and building tannin, it’s another candidate for short-term cellaring and will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.” 

2012 Leonetti Cabernet Reserve:  $174.99
98 Points WA   
“One of the wines of the vintage, the 2012 Walla Walla Reserve is an incredible wine that could rival the 2010 down the road. A blockbuster blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, it’s overflowing with notions of cassis, plum, licorice, toasted spice and asphalt-like aromas and flavors. Big, inky, massively concentrated and structured, with a serious lashing of tannin, it pushes on the ripeness scale, yet stays lively, pure and focused, with killer length on the finish. Aged 22 months in new and once used French oak barrels and puncheons, it will be approachable in 3-4 years, and keep for three decades.” 

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