KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"The Southern Rhone-inspired wine is the 2018 Justine, which is 61% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah that saw a small amount of stems and mostly neutral oak. Lots of spice, herbes de Provence, and peppery incense notes dominate the bouquet, and it has a great core of red fruits, medium-bodied richness, and a silky, expansive mouthfeel. It’s a beautiful looking Rhone blend from Washington State."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 93-95+ pts

"With a lovely, aromatic nose, the 2018 Justine is elegant with aromas of purple flowers, black pepper spices and soft oaky tones, then offers up nuances of smoked sausages, black olive, dried herbs and sun-kissed lavender and violet petals that sway with hints of baked earth and worn leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is expressive, floral, clean and focused with elegant plum tones and black raspberries that have been dusted with finely ground black peppercorn. Displaying amazing focus with a soft floral essence, the wine concludes with an elegant, long-lingering finish that evolves in the mouth with a delicate floral tension and soft spiciness that is simply amazing. Wow! - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (October 2020), 93 pts

"Good dark red. Slightly liqueur-like nose offers aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, peppery herbs and mocha, plus a whiff of milk chocolate; less meaty than the 2017 but very aromatic. Moderately sweet, smooth, seamless and easygoing, with raspberry and redcurrant fruit flavors complicated by mocha, smoke and spices. Very seductive wine with no edges, but easygoing acidity gives lift to the rather plump middle palate. Finishes with suave, dusty tannins and excellent subtle persistence. This is balanced to drink young, but has the vinosity for several years of development in bottle. A lovely showing. (aged in 75% neutral French oak and 25% concrete egg; owner/winemaker Chris Peterson normally destems his Rhône varieties but then adds back 15% to 20% of the stems into the fermenter)- Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2020), 92 pts

"Grenache (61%) is in the lead on this wine, followed by Mourvèdre (23%) and Syrah. Alluring aromas of raspberry, blueberry, thistle, herb, smoked meat and black pepper are followed by lush, achingly pure red and blue fruit flavors, accented by a lovely sense of spicing. It's deft but pure. Smoked meat and black pepper notes linger on the extremely long finish. The balance throughout is impressive—a complete stunner. Best from 2023 to 2030, with good life beyond that. - SEAN P. SULLIVAN"
- Wine Enthusiast (April 2020), 93 pts, Editors' Choice

"A blend of 61% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre and 16% Syrah, the 2017 Justine has a dusty, red-fruited nose with subtle red spices and hints of cherry blossom. Medium-bodied, the wine has a terroir-driven palate and tastes of dusty cherry, seeming just a touch tart across the mid-palate. The wine lingers long on the firm, spicy and dusty finish. With only 315 cases made, I recommend seeking some out at this price. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #246, December 2019), 92 pts

"Healthy medium red. Slightly wild aromas of red raspberry, smoked meat and peppery herbs. Tactile and energetic in the mouth, conveying a juicy quality and excellent energy and lift to its flavors of strawberry, wild cherry, anise and pepper. This is ultimately quite silky and fine-grained, as well as a bit lower in alcohol than the 2016 bottling. Chris Peterson included 20% stems in the fermentation but noted that he still destems all of his fruit and then adds back a portion of the stems. Incidentally, Peterson discontinued his Les Trouvés Red Wine after the 2016 vintage, as he introduced his new value-priced Lydian wines. (14.6% alcohol) - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2019), 92 pts

"The Grenache-dominated 2017 Justine (there’s 23% Mourvèdre and a small amount of Syrah) has a touch Pinot Noir-like character in its aromas and texture. Dark berries, violets, forest floor, and spring flower notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, pretty, elegant Rhône blend that’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019), 91-93 pts

"A blend of 56% Grenache, 31% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah brought up all in older oak, the 2016 Justine offers a great core of black fruits as well as lots of peppery herbs, earth, and classic meatiness. It looks to be a great vintage for this cuvée."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 92-94 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"The entry-level Rhône blend is the 2015 Justine, 55% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah brought up in neutral French oak puncheons and barrels. Black cherries, blueberries, spice box, and dried, peppery herbs notes all flow to a pure, medium to full-bodied, elegant red that has nicely integrated acidity and a great finish. It's ideal for drinking over the coming 4-7 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 91 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"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

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"The 2013 Justine (47% Grenache, 38% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah) gives up lots of Kirsch and black raspberry fruit as well as classic wild herbs, licorice, and spice aromas and flavors. Sexy, gorgeously layered and with fine tannin, it has a great finish and will drink well through 2023. Washington state needs more of these consumer-friendly, balanced and hard to resist efforts. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 92 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"This wine is a blend of Grenache (47%), Mourvèdre (38%) and Syrah. It's loaded with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, herbs, potpourri, peppery spices and kirsch. The plump red and black-fruit flavors show an exquisite balance of richness and restraint that carries through the long finish."
- Wine Enthusiast (July 2016), 91 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"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

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"A blend of 49% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache and 23% Syrah, the 2012 Justine has lots of minerality in its black fruits, smoked earth and meaty, peppery bouquet. Full-bodied, concentrated and with building tannin, this rocking GSM blend saw 15% stem inclusion, native yeast and 17 months in neutral oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 219, June 2015), 92 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"The Rhone-inspired 2012 Justine is 49% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache and 23% Syrah that saw 15% whole cluster fermentation and no new oak. Structured, firm and muscular, it gives up plenty of peppery herbs, mineral, iron, beef blood and black cherry to go with a medium to full-bodied, savory profile on the palate. It will need a few years to chill out on release, yet have upwards of 15 years or so of total longevity."
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 213, June 2014), 91-93+ pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"The Justine, a new, southern Rhône-style red blend from Avennia, is an expressive wine, with aromas of berries, plums and cassis. There’s a whiff of smoked meat also, but the Grenache—roughly half of the blend—brings lovely fruit that trumps the rest. Delicious now, or cellar it for a few more years.- PG"

Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts

Go To Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"A Rhone-style blend of 46% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 24% Syrah, the 2011 Justine offers up a peppery, meaty style with notions of spice, dried underbrush, beef blood and dark cherry and currant fruit. Medium-bodied, supple, pure and elegant, with integrated acidity and a focused finish, it’s a superb effort that will drink nicely for 8-10 years. - Jeb Dunnuck."
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 213, June 2014), 91 pts

Go to Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley

"(a blend of 46% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 24% Syrah; all wild yeasts; no new oak): Bright ruby-red. Black cherry and licorice aromas are accented by black pepper, mint and herbs. Densely packed and thick but youthfully tight and juicy, with very good intensity to the blackberry liqueur and sappy red fruit flavors. The serious but suave tannins arrive late, allowing this fresh, complex wine to express itself. Very long on the aftertaste."

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 91 pts

Go To Avennia Justine Red Blend Yakima Valley