2020 B. Leighton (K Vintners) ‘Gratitude’ Yakima Valley Red Blend

JS94 This is a co-fermented field blend of 70% mourvedre, 25% grenache and 5% syrah. Cracked black pepper, smoked meats, olives and wild herbs on the nose, before evolving to juicy, sweet and perfectly-ripe berry and plum fruit. Supple and sleek, with a full body and creamy, seamless tannins. Joyful. Drink or hold.
VIN93 The wickedly spicy and fresh 2020 Blend Gratitude mixes 75% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 5% Syrah. It’s cooling on the nose, with a white pepper flourish that gives way to dusty red currants and clove hints. Its textures are silky and soothing, with ripe strawberry and black cherry accentuated by rosy inner florals that form toward the close. This lingers impossibly long while maintaining a lovely freshness, as nuances of black raspberry and red inner florals slowly fade. It’s like something that’s straight from the South of France. Very nice.
Estate Notes: Thankful, humbled, and delighted” are my thoughts on the 2020 vintage, and Gratitude is an absolute representation of this incredibly beautiful vintage and wine. Marionberry, dried blueberry, blood orange and white lilac intrigue-and-collide with the senses, demanding further evaluation of this beauty, elegance and complexity. Forest floor, honeysuckle, fresh sourdough bread, nutmeg, and more to discover!
70% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 5% Syrah; native yeast, 100% whole cluster fermentation 35 days on skins, 18 months barrel-aged on lees in neutral French oak demi muids