A few quick thoughts on the 2015 Guardian Newsprint Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain.
The Geekery
Guardian Cellars was founded in 2004 by Jerry Riener, a police officer, and Jennifer Sullivan, a journalist with KOMO News. The two met while Sullivan worked the crime beat for The Seattle Times and Riener was her “confidential source” inside the police department.
An organic chemist by training, Riener interned at several Woodinville wineries such as Baer, Mark Ryan and Matthews Winery before launching his own label. While the main line-up of Guardian Cellars focuses on Bordeaux-style blends, the Newsprint line was created in 2013 to focus on single varietal expressions.
The 2015 Newsprint Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cab sourced from the Quintessence Vineyard on Red Mountain. Located next to Col Solare and Ambassador Vineyard, Quintessence is the fruit source for many highly acclaimed wines from producers like Lauren Ashton, Duckhorn’s Canvasback, Lachini, Fidelitas, Mark Ryan and DeLille. The vineyard is managed by Marshall Edwards who also manages Obelisco Vineyard on Red Mountain.
The wine was aged 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels with around 400 cases made.
The Wine
Medium-plus intensity nose. A mix of black currants and blueberries with a tinge of black licorice and tobacco spice.
Nice mix of blueberries and black currants in this scrumptious Cab.
The dark fruits carry through to the palate but also bring a red cherry component that is highlighted by the medium-plus acidity. The spices don’t carry through but I can see these developing more with bottle age. Medium-plus tannins hold up the full-bodied structure of this wine incredibly well. Moderate length finish at this point.
The Verdict
It’s clear that this 2015 Red Mountain Cab is still developing in the bottle but it is drinking pretty deliciously right now. Great combination of fruit and structure that is enjoyable to drink on its own or with food.
For $25-30, this wine (like the 2016 Hedges In Vogue) is offering some screaming value for a Cabernet Sauvignon from the AVA that is essentially Washington’s Napa Valley. Well worth seeking out.