Avennia Sestina Red Blend 2011 is made from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc

The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, we use the traditional  Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is our vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.

2011 Sestina: Jumps from the glass with penetrating aromas of deep black fruits, vanilla, saddle leather, jasmine and wet stone. This year’s Sestina is broad- complex with black and blue fruits, bitter chocolate, fresh loam, and lava rocks. A paean to old-vine Washington terroir with many years of enjoyment to give.

“More firma and structure, the 2011 Sestina is one of the few 2011s that will benefit from short-term cellaring…it offers medium to full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate and integrated acidity to go with plenty of currant, blackberry, charcoal and smoked-earth aromas and flavors. Give it another 2-3 years and plan on drinking bottles through 2026.” Robert Parker 93+ Points

(72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 9% cabernet franc; from 25- and 40-year-old vines, respectively, in Bacchus and Red Willow vineyards; aged in 70% new oak):  Good deep medium ruby.  Dark berries on the nose, complicated by coffee, earth and some smoky oak.  Broad, plush and seamless, showing terrific energy and depth to the cassis and fresh herb flavors.  Deep, tactile wine with a compelling sweetness.  Really spreads out to saturate the palate on the very long, suavely tannic finish.  Chris Peterson describes the Sestina as a "long-term wine." 92+ Points | International Wine Cellar , November/December 2013