Well what can I say. This was the best service and tasting I have ever experienced for my style of wine tasting. When I reached out to them about have samples open for several days I had no idea what I was in for. Well smell, swish and spit repeat was on overload for me at this one.
CellarTracker! Epic Tasting at Sparkman Cellars (Wines over several days)
Sauvignon Blanc
Well the 2019 was stellar with a few days of air. I would hold the 24 at this time.
- 2019 Sparkman Cellars Sauvignon Blanc as you wish Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Tried on day 3 and this was rocking. Honey, limestone, candied pineapple, flint and floral notes. Very cool wine. (94 pts.)
- 2024 Sparkman Cellars Sauvignon Blanc as you wish Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Not as good as the 19 but give it time. Lemon, floral, lime, stone and a touch of sweetness on the finish. (90 pts.)
Whites & Rose
Well not a fan of Washington State Rose wines and this one was outstanding. Wine Makers in Washington listen up. Sangiovese!
- 2024 Sparkman Cellars Apparition – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Glasvin Universal. Probably the best tasting of my wine journey. Reached out and asked about wines opened prior to arrival and they had a big tasting Sunday so a ton of notes showcasing the evolution of all their wines.
Opened 3/16. Very nice with spices, lemon, lime, floral and limestone. Medium finish. 90+ (90 pts.) - 2024 Sparkman Cellars Apparition – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Glasvin Universal. This was opened on 3/17 and this benefited with less air. Lemon, apricots, spices, tropical fruit and minerals. Advice pop and pour and enjoy over the next few years. (91 pts.)
- 2024 Sigillo Cellars C² Rosé Columbia Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Wow a Rose I would buy from Washington!!! Well done. Bigger style and 100% Sangiovese. Watermelon, spices, floral, tangerine and earth. Very good. (90 pts.)
Yonder Comparison
I liked the 2 day comparison better. I felt like the 3 day had too much oak showing.
- 2023 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Franc Yonder – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Comparing 3/16 vs. 3/17 on this one. Monday’s offering was heavy handed with oak. Smoke, red currants, black pepper, oak and vanilla. Not my cup of tea.
88% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot
56% New French Oak (88 pts.) - 2023 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Franc Yonder – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Comparing 3/16 vs. 3/17 on this one. Wow one day is the sweet spot on this one. Minerals, red currants, cranberry, spices and earth. Very lively and not showing the oak of the 2 sample.
88% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot
56% New French Oak (91 pts.)
Ruby Leigh
Both showed equally well.
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruby Leigh – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Tried a trio of Ruby Leigh’s. 3/15, 3/17 and 3/18.
3/18 Note: Really liked this with red currants, rose petals, spice, minerals, pepper and dust. Medium plus finish. 92+
67% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec
Aged in 89% new oak. (92 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruby Leigh – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Bottle opened since 3/15 so 4 days of air. Really good as well if maybe one point less than the day 1 sample. Cherry, underbrush, spices, earth, tobacco and rose petals. Medium plus finish. Very nice and age worthy.
67% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec
Aged in 89% new oak. (91 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruby Leigh – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
3/17 opened. The worst showing of the 3. Day 1 excellent and 4 days very nice. This was tannic and showing a lot of wood. Smoke, violets, dark fruits and some heavy oak.
67% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec
Aged in 89% new oak.
Kingpin
This is a long term ager as all the samples showed great even with significant days opened.
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingpin – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Tasted a trio of Kingpin opened on different days.
3/13 so six day review. Still holding up well. Earth, sour cherry, mint, blue currants, wood and floral notes. (90 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingpin – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Tasted a trio of Kingpin opened on different days.
3/15 so four day review. Holding up nicely. Smooth wine with plum, dust, cherry, earth, minerals and wood. (91 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingpin – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Tasted a trio of Kingpin opened on different days.
10 minutes of air time and all three of these showed well. Cherry, plum, blueberries, chocolate, wood, dust and spices. More intense than the two with some days on them. All really good so this wine should age for 15 years. 92 points
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec (92 pts.)
Ruckus
Well this is a very good wine. This is not a pop and pour wine.
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruckus – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Tasted 3 bottles. One from 3/14 at half a bottle. Very nice and the time did this one well. Violets, earth, funk, minerals and cherry. Medium finish. (92 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruckus – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Tasted 3 bottles. From 3/14 so five days but almost full bottle compared to the half bottle. Like this better by one point. More fresh with underbrush, violets, pepper, cherry, raspberries and plum. Medium finish. (93 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Ruckus – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. 10 minutes open and this is why I do 3 day wine review. This is hot and a bit over the top. Dark fruits, spices and floral notes. Would advise a heavy decant on this. Great comparison on the 3.
Untamed Value
Well $15.00 for a case you will not find a better deal. A nice replacement for the winery that could not get back to me.
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Syrah Untamed – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Tasted 3 samples over several days opened. Six days opened on this one and still really good. Cherry, plum, spices, black pepper and floral notes. Medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Syrah Untamed – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Tasted 3 samples over several days opened. This sample opened on the 16th so day 3. Liked this the best of the 3 showings. Cherry, plum, floral, earth, spices and cracked pepper. Concentrated effort and what a great special at $15.00 a bottle. (91 pts.) - 2022 Sparkman Cellars Syrah Untamed – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Rich and intense on day 1. Eucalyptus, plum, cherry, spices, forest floor and black pepper. Medium finish. For sure do a healthy decant on day 1 for max results. (90 pts.)
Other Reds
Evermore and Stella Mae outstanding quality.
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Evermore – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. My favorite wine tasted at Sparkman Woodinville. This is a bold and powerful effort. Cherry, plum, minerals, wood, floral, dark chocolate and earth. Medium plus finish and requires some patience. Drink 2028 and beyond.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 100% new oak and sourced from the Dionysus & Stillwater vineyards. (94 pts.)
- 2022 Sparkman Cellars Stella Mae – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Very nice offering with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Malbec. 89% French oak. Sampled on day 3. Cherry, floral, earth, cigar, minerals and wood. Very nice wine and good complexity. (93 pts.)
Wow! A must visit when in Woodinville. Most wineries do not offer anything like this and are programed to open new samples daily. Take notes friends.