While it took many years and several hurdles for all-star winemaker Kendall Mix to release his first vintage of Lawrelin Wines, his patience certainly paid off with a micro-winery that releases incredibly aged vintages. Lawrelin got its start back when Kendall still worked at Chateau Ste. Michelle in 2000 and was given the opportunity to make wine for himself.
Impressed with the fruit that year from Red Mountain AVA, the affable Kendall recalls, “I had heard all about the great quality of Red Mountain fruit. I purchased a little bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from Scott Williams at Kiona, and custom crushed it at Canon de Sol.” Although the name Lawrelin had not yet evolved (a combination of his parents’ first names, Lawrence and Elinor), the first vintage was born. He produced the same wines for three successive years using the same fruit sources but growing the number of cases each year until production expanded to 250 cases in 2003. When his employer opted to no longer support the production, Kendall bravely decided to move on to somewhere that would.
The next roadblock came in the form of legalization. Kendall and his wife Debbie, both natives of Canada, had begun the process of permanent residency in 2000 but in the wake of 9/11, the process ballooned to seven and a half years. After several other delays and 12 years later, Lawrelin was finally able to release the first vintage.
Today their current releases are 15-year-old wines dating back to the 2004 vintage. Kendall triumphantly notes that, “We were able to overcome all the hurdles… and actually get the first Lawrelin wines released. So we released the 2000 vintage a full 12 years post vintage. Since then we have released the next vintage each fall for the last several years.”
Judging from the Cabernet and Syrah we reviewed, these expressive, balanced and age worthy wines were definitely worth the long wait. It’s not often one finds this quality of “library wines” at these softer price points. The wines are currently only available online but stay tuned for a tasting room on the horizon (at which point it may be reasonable to expect the prices to climb as distribution grows).
Tastings are by appointment only and wines are available by contacting the winery via email at lawrelinwine@gmail.com or (509) 572-5420. Learn more at www.lawrelinwines.com.
Lawrelin Cellars 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, $48
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Remarkably fresh at 15 years, showing a lovely interplay between the supple texture and balanced acidity. There’s a concentrated core of black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors immersed in nuances of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, bay leaf and tea notes that stretch out on the long finish accompanied by polished tannins.
Lawrelin Cellars 2004 Syrah, $42
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Powerful, broad and lavishly appointed with charismatic flavors of black currant, red cherry and plum sauce that meld with expressive notes of violet, Maduro cigar wrapper and brown sugar. Long and multifaceted on the expansive finish.