Avennia Justine Red Blend   49% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 23% Syrah

Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhone region of France. The name is inspired by one of the great heroines of recent literature, who also sprung from the imagination of the Mediterranean. Dark, seductive, complex, with a chasm of depth: The Justine is a great reflection of Avennia's mission of expression, and Washington's generous terroir.

 Tasting Note: Big black cherry, blackberry, hints of orange peel, fresh herbs and loam on the nose. Plush and round on the palate. Dark earthy fruits from the Mourvedre, along with citrus high notes, mountain flowers, jasmine, and savory herbs. Balanced and complex without forgetting its hedonistic roots in the Southern Rhone.

Review:

"Aged in 100% neutral oak. Good dark red. Sappy, liqueur-like aromas and flavors of boysenberry and licorice. Very concentrated and fresh but distinctly dark in its fruit character and evolving slowly. This very savory wine showed notes of mocha and Provencal herbs as it opened in the glass. Nicely delineated and firmly built: this reminded me of a topflight Vacqueyras. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2015), 91 pts

"Head winemaker, Chris Peterson, has absolutely nailed this red blend, their 'Justine.' This wine is a blend of 47% Grenache, 38% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah. They have used Upland Vineyard Grenache, Kiona Heart of the Hill Mourvedre, Alder Ridge Grenache, and Angela’s Vineyard Syrah. The red blend begins with rose petals, red cherry, crushed wet rock and red raspberry. There are flavors of red cherry, pomegranate, wild blackberry and mocha. This is incredibly complex and delicious wine that has a gorgeous texture and weight on there mid palate. This is hard not to enjoy right out of the bottle right now. (Best 2016-2026)- OB"

- International Wine Report (April 2016), 93 pts