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.
Magenta in color. 14.3% ABV. Heady nose of dark fruits, molten licorice and Whitman Sampler Box. Plush, full bodied and concentrated with an abundance of sweet fruits. Black cherry, cassis liqueur, cocoa and smoke on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish with an abundance of gritty tannins. Really good but not great. I’ll open another bottle in 2025.
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. Look for the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Merlot at retail.
Also consider reading The Wines of Chris Figgins and Barrel Tasting With Chris Figgins.