James Suckling

 

 

 

2021 lil mama, Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 PTS

WINE ENTHUSIAST

‘20 Ceidleigh, Estate Syrah
92 PTS, Cellar selection

‘20 Taylor Mag, Cabernet Sauvignon
91 PTS

‘20 Upright, Estate Merlot
91 PTS, Editors’ Choice

‘21 lil mama, Cabernet Sauvignon
90 PTS

‘21 Lola, Chardonnay
90 PTS

JEB DUNNUCK

JULY 2023

2023 Sunset International Wine Competition

2020 Estate Grenache
Awarded Double Gold | Best of Class
High acid, bright, precise, elegant, aromatics, southern Rhone, electric.
99PTS

2020 Paulie Red Wine
Awarded Silver

2022 Adrienne Chenin Blanc
Awarded Silver

2022 Evergreen Riesling
Awarded Gold
91PTS

Owen Bargreen

June 2023

read the full review

20 Ceidleigh 93 PTS
20 Knight Commander 93 PTS
20 Estate Cab Franc 93 PTS
20 Jolie Bouche 94 PTS
22 Feral 91 PTS
22 Evergreen 93 PTS
22 Oldfield Rose 92 PTS
20 Malbec 94 PTS
22 Adrienne 92 PTS

James Suckling

In her post, “Seattle Girlfriends Getaway to the Eastside – Bellevue & Woodinville WA” Kim of Stuffed Suitcase describes her experience wine tasting at EFESTE during a visit to Woodinville Wine Country: “A family owned winery that showcases that family history all over the walls of their tasting room. I’ll admit that I was a bit thrown off that this tasting room was found in the industrial area of Woodinville, but when I realized they did that in order to be on site of their wine processing, it made sense. I loved chatting with Helen and Dan, the owners, during our tasting. They were amazingly gracious hosts with warm smiles, and a true passion for their wines.”

10 UNDISCOVERED WINERIES IN WASHINGTON STATE
Kristen Oliveri names EFESTĒ among 10 Undiscovered Wineries in Washington State to visit next time you’re in wine country. Fodor’s Travel, June 2016

A 2015 WASHINGTON ROSÉ ROUNDUP

“A 2015 Washington Rosé Roundup” by Sean Sullivan “Sitting on top of the heap is the EFESTE Oldfield Estate Rosé Yakima Valley 2015 ($22). A blend of mourvèdre and grenache, it has aromas of strawberry and spice that lead to a fresh, lively palate. It’s one of the best rosés I’ve seen come out of the state to date.”

Seattle Met, April 26, 2016

WINE ENTHUSIAST, SEPTEMBER 2016

92 points, 2013 Eléni Syrah
The aromas of embers, black pepper, dark fruit, herbs, smoke and spice are brooding and locked up on first pour, showing more on each swirl. The blue and black-fruit flavors are ripe, sweet and full, with savory notes fleshing out the crazy long finish.

92 points, 2013 Jolie Bouche Syrah
Aromas of iron, olive, herb, smoke, orange peel and savory notes are followed by a ripe, full savory palate that packs a punch. It’s far from shy but manages to keep it all in balance.

92 points, 2015 Oldfield Estate Rosé
This blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Grenache is a very pretty pale peach color. Aged in a mixture of concrete, stainless steel and neutral French oak, it suggests aromas of citrus, strawberry, herb and spice. It tingles the palate with fresh, lively flavors, showing poise and presence with a citrus-filled finish that lingers.

91 points, 2013 Ceidleigh Syrah
Typically the most forward of the winery’s offerings, this wine brings aromas of blue fruit along with notes of fire pit, olive, mineral and cured meat that become more prominent over time. The blue and black-fruit flavors are dense and focused, with a firm backbone of tannins providing support. It needs time in the cellar to stretch its legs.

91 points, 2013 Emmy
The white-pepper, garrigue, raspberry, orange-peel and pot-roast aromas pop. The palate is action packed with raspberry and cranberry flavors that lead to a long, savory finish.

91 points Editor’s Choice, 2015 Feral Sauvignon Blanc
This thoroughly delicious, acid-driven wine opens with aromas of passion fruit, oyster shell, herbs, wet stone and citrus. The flavors are sleek yet generous with electric, mouthwatering acidity. It demands oysters alongside it.

91 points, 2014 Evergreen Riesling
The aromas of ripe peach, jasmine, honeysuckle and mineral pop. It drinks just off dry, with a spritz of stone-fruit and citrus flavors that extend on the finish.

90 points, 2014 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc
Seeing just a kiss of new oak (20%), this wine offers brooding aromas of spice, white flowers, tropical fruit and citrus. The palate is full of white-grapefruit flavors backed by a zing of tart acidity, with barrel spice flavors lingering on the finish. It shows a lot of tension.

SUMMER’S BEST ROSÉS

“Summer’s Best Rosés” include Oldfield Estate Rosé with the highest rating of the New World selections.

Wine Enthusiast, June 22, 2016

WASHINGTON WINES TO UNCORK THIS SPRING

In “Washington Wines to Uncork This Spring” Paul Zitarelli recommends the best wines for springtime including our Feral Sauvignon Blanc.

Seattle Magazine, April 2016

WINE ENTHUSIAST, MARCH 2016

91 Points, Editor’s Choice, 2014 Oldfield Estate Rosé
“This is the inaugural release from the winery’s estate site, which sits next to famed Boushey Vineyard. A pale salmon color, it’s a field blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache, redolent with aromas and flavors of strawberry, orange peel and spice, along with mouthwatering acidity that ties it all together. It’s thoroughly delightful.” –SS

Final-Final has been selected as a finalist in Vivino’s 2016 wine style awards by more than 13 million wine drinkers. This is an honor bestowed on less than one percent of the 100,000 wineries on Vivino.

VIVINO, JANUARY 2016

WINE ENTHUSIAST
NOVEMBER 2015

94 points, 2012 Jolie Bouche Syrah
“This exuberant wine has aromas of raspberry jam, thyme, orange peel, earth, iron and olive. It’s rich and intensely flavorful, with waves of mouthwatering fruit and savory notes that lead to an extended finish.” —S.S.

92 points, Cellar Selection, 2012 Eléni Syrah
“Still in its shell, this wine reveals aromas of violets, black licorice, tar, crushed granite and dark fruit with a bit of coaxing in the glass. It’s full bodied, with tart, tangy fruit flavors that need time to stretch their legs.” — S.S.

92 points, 2012 Emmy
“Mourvèdre (81%) makes up the majority of this blend with Grenache (12%) and Syrah filling it out. It leans into savory notes, with aromas of sage, dried herbs, white pepper and mineral. The flavors are plush and palate-coating, bringing a slightly tacky feel that softens over time. ” — S.S.

91 points, 2012 Ceidleigh Syrah
This offers a surprisingly savory look at this sun-drenched appellation, with aromas of smoke, mineral and Kalamata olives. The cherry flavors are full bodied with a palate-coating, slightly tacky feel that smooths out over time.
— S.S.

90 points, 2013 Feral Sauvignon Blanc
A lively offering practically screams out for oysters, this wine brings aromas of talc, flowers, and white and pink grapefruit. It’s fleshy in feel, with racy, puckering acidity that draws out the finish.
— S.S.

90 points, 2013 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc
This warm-vintage wine is aromatically generous with notes of toast, lemon, citrus oil and guava. It’s light yet rich, with a plush feel and a tart finish.
— S.S.

NORTHWEST WINE: MERLOT REMAINS A STAR IN WASHINGTON WINERIES

In “Northwest Wine: Merlot remains a star in Washington wineries” by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue, Great Northwest Wine writes that Wine Press Northwest magazine recently conducted a tasting of 100 Northwest Merlots for its spring issue. The 2012 Upright Merlot is named as a top wine from the judging.

Yakima Herald, March 14, 2016

WINE ENTHUSIAST
DECEMBER 2016

92 points/Cellar Selection, 2013 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the first vintage of this wine to include estate fruit, along with fruit from Klipsun, Bacchus and Red Willow. A complex medley of herb and spice aromas accented by purple flowers is followed by bold yet still refined dark-fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It has the tannin to go the distance.

91 points/Editors’ Choice, 2013 Nana Bordeaux Style Red
Merlot makes up half of this wine, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Cabernet Franc. It announces itself with nuanced aromas of herb, dried leaves and flowers, along with black currant. The flavors are palate coating and textured, showing depth but also restraint.

91 points, Final Final Red Wine
The aromas bring a big whack of pungent blue and purple fruit, along with notes of herb and cherry. The flavors are full and palate coating, bringing a real sense of texture and hedonism but still with great freshness.

90 points, Lola Chardonnay
The aromas of mineral, spice, toast, yellow apple, and lemon pith are light but enchanting. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, demonstrating judicious use of oak and a lengthy finish that shows some warmth.

GREAT NORTHWEST WINE, DECEMBER 2016

THE 2013 ESTATE PETIT VERDOT FROM TAYLOR MAG VINEYARD RECEIVES A RATING OF “EXCELLENT”.

MARTHA STEWART, NOVEMBER 2016

The Thanksgiving Wine Guide names EFESTĒ Evergreen Riesling as a top pick describing it as “a refreshing, crowd-pleasing wine. It’s delicate and dry and has a fresh, focused bouquet of lime blossom and white peach, flavors of apricot and chamomile, and a silky texture.”

“THE FINAL FINAL IS DECLARED EXTRAORDINARY AND THE ESTATE PETIT VERDOT PROCLAIMED OUTSTANDING. ”

— Washington Tasting Room Magazine, April 2017

VINO VOYAGER, NOVEMBER 2016

“EFESTĒ winemaker, Peter Devison, is producing beautifully handcrafted wines, using minimalist Old World winemaking techniques, to include native fermentation and limited oxygenation. His bold reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, are velvety, complex, and have lots of fruit-laced layers.” Excerpted from Wining About in Woodinville.

SIP NORTHWEST, SEPTEMBER 2016

A celebration of #roséallday includes EFESTĒ 2015 Rosé, Oldfield Estate, Yakima Valley. “The second estate release from this family-owned and-operated winery, the Oldfield Estate vineyard is planted strategically next to those of legendary vine master Dick Boushey, who also runs the site for the Woodinville, Washington, winery. Winemaker Peter Devison shows a deft, consistent hand in this release of 88 percent Mourvèdre and 22 percent Grenache, compelling many across the Northwest wine media to choose this as a perennial pick. Satisfying for Francophiles (dry, floral, citrus-driven) as well as fair-weather, seasonal rosé drinkers, minerality and grapefruit dominant the bouquet and the palate flushes out in wild berries, gracefully braiding acid into full fruit to finish with vivacity.”

WASHINGTON TASTING ROOM MAGAZINE, FALL 2016

EFESTĒ IS FEATURED IN TOP WASHINGTON STATE WINE CLUBS WORTH JOINING.

SEATTLE REFINED, JUNE 2016

In the article, How One Grape Grower Inspired a Whole Industry, Paola Thomas interviews EFESTĒ’s winemaker, Peter Devison. He discusses working with grape grower Dick Boushey and the collaboration that takes place when obtaining fruit from Boushey Vineyards: ‘If something isn’t up to quality, he won’t put it in your bins, which is why we know that what shows up at the winery is exceptional. Having said that, I can’t remember ever walking his vineyards and debating whether we would be dropping anything – it’s always brilliant fruit!’

SEATTLE WINE AWARDS, JUNE 2016

2012 UPRIGHT DOUBLE GOLD
2012 TOUGH GUY GOLD

10 WINES PERFECTLY PAIRED WITH SUMMER

Zach Geballe names 10 Wines Perfectly Paired with Summer including our Feral Sauvignon Blanc.

Seattle Weekly, June 8, 2016

WINE ENTHUSIAST, MAY 2016

93 points, 2012 Big Papa
All varietal, this wine is mostly Klipsun and Bacchus vineyards, with Kiona and Red Willow rounding it out. The aromas bring immediate appeal, with pure notes of black cherry, fresh and dried savory herbs and crushed granite, showing pleasing complexities. The palate is tightly wound, showing a fine sense of depth that is balanced by bright acid and firm tannins. The finish lingers. It’s a compelling example of the variety.

91 points Editor’s Choice, 2013 Lola
This wine entices with its nuanced aromas of mineral, spice, almond butter, lemon pith, tropical fruit and chamomile. The flavors are concentrated while still showing exquisite restraint along with pitch-perfect balance. The extended finish kicks it up a notch.

90 points, 2012 Final Final
Cabernet makes up just over half of this blend. Aromas of black cherries, herbs and minerals are followed by plush-feeling dark-fruit flavors and backed by firm tannins. Drink now.

VINOUS
NOVEMBER 2015

Via “Washington Turns up the Heat” by Stephen Tanzer (subscription required).

93 points, 2012 Emmy
92+ points, 2012 Eléni Syrah
92+ points, 2012 Nana
92 points, 2012 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points, 2012 Jolie Bouche Syrah
92 points, 2014 Feral Sauvignon Blanc
92 points, 2014 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc
91+ points, 2012 Final Final
91 points, 2012 Ceidleigh Syrah
90 points, 2013 Lola Chardonnay
90 points, 2014 Oldfield Estate Rosé

2013 <strong>Evergreen Riesling<strong> is named one of the Top 100 Wines for 2015 giving it the distinction of being the only white wine from Washington State on the list.

WINE ENTHUSIAST, NOVEMBER 2015