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.
Purple in color. 14.3% ABV. Sublime nose of black and blue fruits, molten licorice and Whitman Sampler box. Full bodied with tremendous structure and concentration. The fruit is lush and opulent. Blackberry, blueberry, cassis liqueur and chocolate on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish with ever so silky tannins. Delicious Merlot that can be enjoyed now or cellared for another 4-6 years.
My rating: 94 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 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2024 Merlot as they were just recently released.