Private Barrel Auction

It’s the rare vineyard that melds unmistakable character with extraordinary quality, expressing that single site character in a superb wine. We see it in wines like Chateau Latour, Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Antinori’s Tignanello or Mueller’s Scharzhofberger. These wines couldn’t come from anywhere else. Our search in Washington has led us to what we think is just such a marriage: Heart of the Hill. This wine is a special one off blend of the best barrels from this vineyard.

Cabernet Franc has a long history in Washington State, it having been one of the varieties originally recommended by Walter Clore who many consider the Father of our State’s Industry. I have long contemplated a Bordeaux-Style blend dominated by this distinguished variety. This is the First!

Dark in color, the aromas are predominately floral with elements of violets and lilacs and touches of oregano, thyme and cedar. The flavors follow the aromas to a long finish while a continuously full pallet has well developed tannins and a balance which promises good ageability.

Separated by 50 miles, these Cabernet lots from Cold Creek Vineyard and Canoe Ridge Estate showcase the versatility of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Estate vineyards. The Cold Creek lots come from some of the oldest grapes in our estate while Canoe Ridge sits above the moderating influence of the Columbia River.

Our Estates Cabernet combines the power, depth, and roundness of Cold Creek grapes balanced with the powdery tannin and spice notes from the Horse Heaven Hills. The result is wine with rich color, exquisite mouthfeel, and blackberry with red cherry and plum flavors that bring out our vineyards’ unique characteristics.

This exclusive 5 case blend is crafted from the Col Solare Estate Vineyard and showcases two varietals that were exceptional for the 2016 vintage. The Estate Vineyard was planted in 2007 and the orientation, spacing and density were matched with the site to ensure uniform ripening and fruit quality.

The Col Solare Estate Blend offers aromas of black cherry, spice and dried fruits with hints of currents and anise that carry over onto the palate. The wine has integrated, plush tannins that lead into a long lingering finish.

Perched above the Columbia River, the picturesque 40-acre Discovery Vineyard is rapidly gaining reputation for growing some of Washington’s best wine grapes. The vineyard is owned by Milo and Kay May, and managed by Milo and their son Oliver, a recent graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture school.

This wine offers a highly aromatic nose of crushed raspberries and blueberries, cedar and exotic spice, with intriguing notes of gravel and delicate wood smoke.  It presents the fruit-forward and traditionally inherent varietal flavors typified by the Horse Heaven Hills AVA with a core of vibrant acidity, all supported on the finish by age-worthy tannin.

Crafted exclusively for the Auction of Washington Wines Private Barrel Auction, this is a powerful yet elegant wine showcasing Stone Tree Vineyard which lies in the heart of the Wahluke Slope. This breathtaking 240-acre vineyard boasts gentle South facing slopes and is bound by the Columbia River and the Saddle Mountains. This Cabernet-based blend represents a true expression of the vineyard and the 2016 vintage.
This extraordinary Washington Cabernet Sauvignon leaps out of the glass with aromas of crushed wet stone and graphite that evolve into black and red fruits with a hint of sage brush. A supple, generous entry is followed by an intensely focused spectrum of savory red – black brambly fruit, anise and wet rock like minerality. It is framed by mouth coating fine grain tannins and refreshing acidity leading to long a fruit, mineral and sexy oak driven finish. This wine has it all…richness, intensity, elegance and is crafted for the long haul.

Blackwood Canyon Vineyard, planted in 1984, provides established Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. This block, adjacent to our Fidelitas Estate, was brought back after not being farmed for some time, providing intense maturity and concentration. We employed three fermentation methods on this lot, and are currently ageing it in small, French oak barrels.

Using three fermentation methods, including roller fermenters, upright open tops, and small stainless steel fermenters, along with a blend of new and neutral French oak, assists in showcasing the complexity of this ‘old vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark fruit tones and earthy aromas are further deepened on the palate with a full mouthfeel.

Single barrel of a single block of Syrah from our estate vineyard. The remainder of this wine will eventually be blended into our estate Syrah bottling.

A bouquet of black olive tapenade and smoked meats around a core of blue and black fruit, dried herbs, orange peel, basalt and white flowers. It shows the terroir of where it is grown. On the palate, it is framed by soft tannins in a full-bodied expression that stays light on its feet. Seamless and powerful, but retaining poise and finesse, it retains acidity that helps keep it fresh and long in this great vintage.

This Grenache Noir lot is a distinctive and exclusive collaboration from two of Walla Walla’s most respected female winemakers. Innovative and passionate, Marie-Eve Gilla and Ali Mayfield, have created a stunning wine from this niche Rhône varietal. Grenache is one of the most sought-after grapes in the state and is often referred to as the Pinot Noir of Washington.

This lot comes from three of the preeminent vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. The warm 2016 vintage created wines with tremendous intensity and richness, and these three vineyards exemplify the best of what was produced from the vintage.

This inky, violet colored wine is brimming with complex aromatics that include currants, candied cherries and spice.  The wine has great suppleness at the front of the palate that transitions into a well-structured mid palate that reveals a hint of earthiness.  The long, brimming finish offers bright acidity and fruit, both indicative of Red Mountain.

These 5 cases are sourced from an extraordinary vineyard in the Northeast portion of the Walla Walla Valley. Perched at a 1600' elevation in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and on a perfect SSW slope, this 20-year-old sustainably farmed vineyard produces monumental Cabernet Sauvignon that typically makes up a large portion of the Leonetti Reserve.

This lot, aged in a 30HL French Oak Botti, leads with a captivating nose of crushed fresh flowers and dark fruits that is ethereal and high toned.  Sumptuous, long and brooding on the palate, this lot will be delicious upon release but will reward with cellaring.

Multi-layered wine with a vibrant character and a firm yet refined structure. It expresses a wide array of aromatics from dark fruit to spice to hints of tobacco. Aged in new French Oak for 22 months.

Planted in 1997, Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon is located at the highest eastern elevation of our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard.  Delivering the best of Seven Hills, this wine showcases the vineyard’s characteristic cedary, black cherry, and richly structured elegance. Nuances of earth, leather, and cocoa lead to its concentrated, persistent finish.

100% Petit Verdot from Mark Ryan. This will be the first time we have released a Petit Verdot to the public. Its Killer.

The 2016 Petit Verdot is not yet assembled, but in 2014 the tasting notes were as follows:

94-97 tasted out of barrel

This is 100% Petit Verdot andone of the finest I've tasted, and I wrote in my note that if anyone could make an elegant Petit Verdot, its this team. Inky colored and opaque, with sensational black and blue fruits, violets and spring flower aromas and flavors, it's a serious, full-bodied, rich, concentrated 2014; it has incredible polish to its tannin, a full, layered mid-palate and no shortage of length on the finish.

Both vineyards are situated above 1,200 elevation in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA in Yakima Valley. The DuBrul Vineyard vines are on steep rocky hillsides yielding small berries with outstanding flavors and concentration. Six miles to the west, Outlook Vineyard has steep slopes with deeper, loose soils contributing texture and perfumed aromas.

First Among Equals refers to Cabernet Sauvignon one of the great grapes. More noble than the others? We who enjoy power and richness believe so.   The wines from these hollowed sites can age decades and still deliver delicious enjoyment now. A harmonious blend of power and intensity, with elegance and texture from the tremendous 2016 vintage.

A unique one-of-a-kind lot from our Pepper Bridge Estate Vineyards, located in the heart of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. This iconic vineyard, planted in the early 90’s is known for its dark, muscular and powerful fruit. The well-established vines partnered with cutting-edge technology showcases the intensity this vineyard brings.

Black fruit and brambles abound in this blend with ample notes of bittersweet chocolate and dark spice rounding out the finish. With intense structure, this wine is beautifully balanced and complex, perfectly highlighting the power of Pepper Bridge Vineyard.

Paul Golitzin crafted this Syrah from Estate grown fruit from Champoux Vineyard. It was cropped at 2 tons per acre with primary fermentation in stainless steel. Malolactic and aging were done in extremely rare Saury L’Ecrin barrels. In 2015, Only 200 of these barrels were made for the entire world!

The 2015 Quilceda Creek Champoux Vineyard Estate Syrah has a wonderful silky texture with amazing depth and length. Classic red and black fruit flavors coat the entire palate with nuances of smoke, meat, herbs, minerals and spice.

Incredibly pure expression of Syrah from one of the Grand Cru vineyards of Washington State, Lewis Vineyard. This wine is currently aging in a concrete egg, and total production will be less than 70 cases when bottled in Spring 2018.

Neon and black are the only 2 words to describe the color. Pure raspberry extract, cherry cola, herbs de provence, and notes of bacon are at the core of this wine. Terrific acidity to balance out the rich, dense texture of this Syrah, one of the finest we have ever produced at Sleight of Hand Cellars.

The Octave Estate is our high-elevation, old vine Cabernet, packed with meaty tannins and balanced with rich ripe dark fruits. This wine is dark purple bordering on black, and very lush with a smokey aroma and long lingering finish. This wine will do well in a cellar for many years to come!

Woodward Canyon is a partner in the renowned Champoux Vineyard. This wine is a blend of 2016 Champoux cabernet sauvignon from Blocks 1 and 2, the vines in which average 40 years. It will be aged 22 months in new French oak, and then bottled with no fining or filtration.