points
2011 Proprietor’s Cuvée
92 Points, Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Lovely aromatics push scents of espresso, cassis, truffle and baker’s chocolate right up front. The wine is polished, fine-boned and balanced, with taut cranberry and raspberry fruit. It brings in subtle accents of chalk, earth, rock and lead pencil, building to a firm, beautifully structured finish. — P.G.
Vineyards
The Columbia Valley AVA
The Columbia Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area which lies in the Columbia River Plateau, through much of central and southern Washington State.
Columbia Valley is Washington’s largest appellation, encompassing six other AVAs including Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Rattlesnake Hills, and Wahluke Slope. There are no fewer than 99% of the state’s viniferra vines in approximately 18,000 square miles with nearly 11 million acres of land. The Columbia Gorge and Puget Sound AVAs are the only appellations in Washington that fall outside of its borders. The Columbia Valley embodies numerous microclimates. Due to the Northern latitude and cloudless climate, the Columbia Valley averages two hours more sunlight during midsummer compared to California vineyard areas. The Cascade Mountains shield the rain, limiting annual rainfall to no more than 15 inches while incorporating significant differences in rainfall, soils, and climate. There are more than 300 cloud-free days every year with cool evenings providing more extreme day/night temperature spread.
Lauren Ashton Cellars works with a number of prestigious vineyards in the Columbia Valley. Select a vineyard below to read more about them.
AVA Map
