Leonetti Cellar Reserve Walla Walla Valley 2015 (Columbia Valley, Washington) - [JD 98] [RP 95] [JS 95] [VM 94+] [WS 94] [WE 93]

Leonetti Cellar Reserve Walla Walla Valley 2015
(Columbia Valley, Washington) - [JD 98] [RP 95] [JS 95] [VM 94+] [WS 94] [WE 93]


$250.00 $199.99 Save $50.01
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JD98 RP95 JS95 VM94+ WS94 WE93
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Notes from the winemaker:
Color is deeply saturated ruby. Our flagship ’15 Reserve has an explosive nose of vanilla, lavender, cinnamon graham cracker, and puree of ripe brambles. Time in the glass reveals secondary notes of cedar and strawberry rhubarb pie. Seamless tannins and incredible length. With a finish resembling cherry liqueur, the Malbec brings the wine into tight focus.

BLENDING DETAIL: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, 8% Merlot
VINEYARDS IN THIS WINE: Loess, Mill Creek Upland, Seven Hills

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2015 Reserve is a borderline perfect wine. Made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, and 8% Merlot, its vibrant purple color is followed by a gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, graphite, scorched earth, liquid violets, and charcoal. Full-bodied, deep, voluptuously textured and layered, with sweet tannin, this incredible beauty stays pure and elegant on the palate, with perfect balance. It's going to drink nicely for two decades as well." (Apr 2018)

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Quite different in profile to the Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Walla Walla Reserve offers up a rich bouquet of ripe blackberries, pencil shavings, cardamom and sweet soil. On the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and lavishly textured, with an ample core of fruit that initially conceals its firm chassis of abundant structuring tannins. Those tannins, however, assert themselves on the chewy, richly fruity finish, so this bottling will require 3 or 4 years of patience. It's a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 8% Merlot." - William Kelley (Jun 2018)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Love the licorice and asphalt character to the dark fruits. It's full-bodied, layered and chewy. Shows focus and structure. Blackened orange peel, too. Blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 29% malbec and 8% merlot. Better in 2021." (May 2018)

94+ Points - Antonio Galloni's Vinous:
"Bright medium-deep red. Sappy scents of black cherry, purple berries and cinnamon. Sweet, lush and concentrated but with surprising acidity and high notes of lavender and violet providing lift to the sappy black cherry and purple berry fruit. Really wonderfully smooth wine with shocking lift and freshness for a 2015. And downright penetrating on the back end, finishing with a firm tannic spine and terrific lift and length." -- Stephen Tanzer (Nov 2018)

94 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Pairs great structure with richness and polish, offering expressive blackberry, allspice and bay leaf flavors that fan out and linger toward refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2026. 1,099 cases made." - TF (Jul 2018)

93 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 8% Merlot comes from Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Seven Hills vineyards. Its aromas are still locked up, offering incense, barrel spice, cherry, raspberry, anise and scorched earth notes as it opens. The palate is packed to the brim with black fruit flavors and tightly wound tannins, maintaining its sophistication long into the finish. It needs time to come into its own but has a very long life ahead of it. Best 2026–2033." - SS (Sep 2018)