Efeste, pronounced like the letters “F-S-T” strung together, was named after the last names of founders Helen & Dan Ferrelli, Patrick Smith, and Kevin & Angela Taylor. Efeste is located in the Warehouse District of Woodinville, Washington. Peter Devison took over full-time winemaking duties when Brennon Leighton left to work with Charles Smith in 2012.
100% Merlot sourced from Klipsun Vineyard. The name Upright is a play on the movie Sideways.
Crimson in color. 14.27% ABV. Plums, licorice and cedar on the nose. Full bodied and tightly wound. Raspberries, currants and leather on the palate. There are coarse tannins on a very long finish. This is a wine to drink over the next year or so while fruit is still prominent.
My rating: 90 points.
The 2012 Upright is available at retail and the winery for $39.
Efeste has one of the best white wine programs in the state of Washington and the red wines are also exceptional. The wines are readily available at retail, via the wine club and at the winery.
I’ve blogged about Efeste previously in The Great Whites of Washington.
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