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.
88% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot, Carmener and Malbec from the estate vineyards.
Purple in color. 14.6% ABV. Sublime nose of black fruits, Whitman Sampler box and graphite. Dark and brooding with copious tannins. Serious Cabernet Sauvignon with almost an old world profile. Leaner than I typically expect from Leonetti but the power and concentration is impressive. Black currants, cassis, coffee and earth on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. This really needs time in the decanter to begin showing its stuff. Not as rich and hedonistic as I would have expected but still a tremendous wine. More time is needed here. Best over the next 3-5 years.
My rating: 93 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. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Merlot were just released.
Also consider reading The Wines of Chris Figgins and Barrel Tasting With Chris Figgins.