"Leonetti Cellar is unquestionably Washington state's finest Cabernet Sauvignon producer." -Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Founded by Gary and Nancy Figgins, in 1977 Leonetti Cellar (named for Gary's grandparents) became the first bonded winery in Walla Walla. Almost immediately their exceptional wines set the standard for Washington and over the past three decades they have vigorously worked to maintain that excellence.
Using only estate fruit they produce four wines: Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Reserve blend. The wines are bold and expressive but also balanced and structured. Although delicious on release, the wines age beautifully. All of the wines are aged in a mix of old and new French oak for 15-22 months and total production is around 5500 cases.
In 2001 Chris Figgins assumed the role of head winemaker and, following Gary's retirement in 2011, now runs the entire estate. He won't be changing things, however, Leonetti remains strongly rooted in family tradition and the goal hasn't changed in all these years, simply to produce the greatest wines they possibly can.
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Washington » Walla Walla Valley
The Wine Advocate 96 "Leading off the 2013s, the 2013 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from estate vineyard and is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot,
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Wine Advocate 92-94 "The most unique of the 2011s barrel samples, with a bright, juicy profile that includes loads of black fruit, citrus, assorted wild herbs
" Dense, dark, and lush but with amazing focus and levity. Loaded with dark blue and black fruits. Gorgeous high tone aromatics are reminiscent of
Wine Advocate 97 "The winery flagship is the 2008 Reserve, a blend 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc aged in
" Impossibly complex, mysterious nose that reveals itself over time. Cassis liqueur and floral notes open to a bowl of fresh crushed ripe fruit sprinkled
Wine Advocate 91-93 "Offering plenty of black cherry, cedar plank, spice box and hints of chocolate, the 2011 Sangiovese is beautifully ripe, layered and has excellent
Wine Spectator 92 "A Merlot with admirable restraint, this shows a lively balance of raspberry and roasted meat flavors, finishing against fine tannins. Has freshness and
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2008 Merlot (100%) spent 15 months in a mix of new and used French oak. It exhibits an aromatic array of smoke,
Wine Enthusiast 97 WE TOP 100 2012 Cellar Selections Rank 37 "This is the best bottling of a very fine lineup from Leonetti. Dense, textural and complex,
Wine Advocate 94 "The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bigger, more structured wine. Dense, layered, and with a suave personality, it will continue to blossom for
"Poured initially out of the bottle, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon presents dark black fruit, cedar, and classic Left bank Bordeaux nose of fruit, saddle leather,
Robert Parker 94 "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon includes 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carmenere, and 2% Malbec in the blend. Purple-colored, it offers up notes
Connoisseurs Guide to Wine 92 "8% Cabernet Sauvignon; 7% Petit Verdot. This masterful effort adds further to the twin notions of Merlot's grand potential and Merlot's
"Dense, saturated color. The initial nose is blueberry compote, blackberries, and a whiff of pine resin and sawdust behind the classic cabernet note of cassis. As
Wine Advocate 92 "The medium purple-colored 2007 Sangiovese (which contains 14% Syrah) spent 22 months in mostly neutral French oak. It offers up a nose of
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2008 Sangiovese is redolent of dark cherries and spices. Intense, racy, and structured, this beautifully proportioned wine will perform optimally from 2012
" Exceptional deep ruby color. Enticing nose of dried fruits, cranberries, vanilla, pencil shavings and graham cracker. On the palate it is smooth, long and
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