Jeb Dunnuck Scores

Back in February, independent wine critic Jeb Dunnuck visited the winery and tasted through several of our current and upcoming releases. Jeb's report, "Washington State's 2020s," was just published and we're excited to share some excerpts from his review. (The full report can be viewed here; subscription required.) Thank you to Jeb for his kind words. We hope you'll consider grabbing a few bottles of these wines to add to your cellar or enjoy now!

2020 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points
"One of the standouts in the lineup is the 2020 Sestina, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc from the Dionysus, Red Willow, and Bacchus vineyards. Its deeper purple hue is followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant wine offering plenty of spicy currant fruit, notes of dried herbs, loamy earth, and lead pencil, fine tannins, and a great finish."

2020 Arnaut Syrah, 94 points
"All varietal from a great vineyard in the Yakima Valley, the 2020 Syrah Arnaut Boushey Vineyard offers a perfumed, complex nose of mulled red and black berries, peppery, savory herbs, and some meaty, iron-like nuances. This complex, medium to full-bodied beauty has fine tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish."

2020 Gravura Bordeaux-style Blend, 93 points
"Leading off the Bordeaux blends from this great estate, the 2020 Gravura offers attractive mulled red and black cherry fruits, some spicy, savory herbs, and sandalwood notes, medium body, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It's another impeccably made 2020 from Chris Peterson with lots to love. The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, from a mix of top sites in the Columbia Valley that spent 20 months in 50% new French oak."

A Look Back at Sestina

In addition to tasting current and future releases, Jeb tasted through a five-year vertical of Sestina, 2010-2014. While he had reviewed some of these vintages previously when they were first released, it was a great opportunity to see how the wines have evolved. Though these wines are no longer available for purchase, we still wanted to share Jeb's reviews, since many of you may have some of these vintages in your cellars. According to Jeb, they are all drinking nicely now or can continue to age for years to come.

2010 - 93 points
"This Saint-Estèphe-like Bordeaux blend is medium to full-bodied, has fine tannins, beautiful balance, and a clean, lengthy finish. Drink bottles over the coming decade."

2011 - 94 points
"... brilliant stuff. It’s drinking beautifully as well and also has another decade of longevity."

2012 - 97 points
"... is the star of the show and has an extraordinary bouquet of red and blue fruits, gravelly earth, bouquet garni, and tobacco... Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years."

2013 - 94 points
"... it’s drinking nicely today and is probably best enjoyed over the coming 10-12 years, although it’s not going to fall off a cliff after that."

2014 - 95 points
"I loved the 2014 Sestina on release, and it doesn’t disappoint today... [T]his classic, elegant 2014 has shed most of its baby and is smack in the middle of its prime drinking window."