Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti, along with Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is part of Figgins Family Wine Estates. Chris Figgins is now in charge of the winemaking.
Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 16%, Petit Verdot 13% from Mill Creek Upland and Leonetti Estate Vineyards.
Opaque purple in color. 14.5% ABV. Sublime nose of black fruits, cassis liqueur, tobacco and violets. Dense, concentrated and super silky. Exceptional balance. Black currants, raspberries, coffee and chocolate on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Great wine that is aging brilliantly. This will easily cruise to twenty years of age. Best over the next 4-6 years.
My rating: 97 points.
Leonetti was one of my very first mailing lists. Twenty five years later I am still a buyer and the wines are better than ever. The winery has done an exceptional job at holding the line on prices. Although the mailing list is full and the waiting list is long the wine is readily available at retail in late March so look for the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Merlot next Spring. In other news Leonetti also recently released their first set of single vineyard wines from the 2016 vintage.
Also consider reading The Wines of Chris Figgins and Barrel Tasting With Chris Figgins.