Lauren Ashton Cellars was founded in 2009 by Kit Singh. A Dentist by profession, Kit’s passion for wine was fueled by trips to Napa, Sonoma and Europe’s best known wine regions. Kit’s enology background includes classes at UC Davis and Seattle Community College along with an internship at Delille Cellars.
The inspiration for the name of the winery was Kit’s two children, Ashley Lauren and Ashton Troy. The packaging for the wines is impressive. The black and white pictures on the labels are from buildings in Estonia where Singh’s partner, Riinu Rammal, is from.
I was fortunate enough to try a few of the upcoming releases.
2014 Cuvée Estelle – Crimson in color. 14.8% ABV. 83% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Tremendous nose of red and black fruits, scorched earth and toasty oak. Full bodied with nice acidity. Big and concentrated. Blackberries, currants, cassis and anise on the palate. The finish is long with fine grained tannins. Delicious wine that is well priced. Drink over the next 3-5 years. $40 at the winery and retail. My rating: 92 points.
2017 Riesling – Light gold in color. 12.9% ABV. Pretty nose of stone fruits and flowers. Light and refreshing with bracing acidity. Pears, peaches, green apple and spice on the palate. The finish is long and spicy. Really good Riesling that is priced attractively. Easily a wine you could buy by the case. Drink over the next several years. $18 at the winery and retail. My rating: 90 points.
The Woodinville tasting room is open Thursday thru Sunday from 1pm to 5pm and is a worthwhile stop on your next winery excursion.
These reviews were based on a samples provided by the winery.