When Craig and Vicki Leuthold established Maryhill Winery in 1999 there were barely a hundred wineries in Washington State. I recall my first sip of their signature red blend, Winemaker’s Red, at a culinary event hosted at one of Seattle’s large downtown venues in the early 2000s. Like so many countless others, I instantly became a fan and follower of one of the state’s most visible and iconic brands.
Maryhill has greatly expanded their portfolio of offerings since that ‘aha’ moment, but still their classic series wines enjoy incredible popularity among wine drinkers from coast to coast. Well-crafted and easily approachable, the lineup represents some of the top values in today’s marketplace, consistently over delivering on quality no matter the price tier.
Under the direction of the Leuthold’s, and joined by winemaker Richard Batchelor in 2009, the current releases of the classic series are as exciting as ever. — John Vitale, Editor
Visit Maryhill’s website here or read a past Tasting Room Magazine article on this destination winery here.
Maryhill Winery 2012 Winemaker’s Red
This winning blend was aged 11 months in tanks with French oak staves to produce a quality, value-driven red table wine.
Nose: Bold aromas of red and dark fruit, pipe tobacco, charcoal and cedar notes.
Taste: Rich and jammy, with a fruit profile of dark plum and red berries infused with nuances of vanilla bean, tar and spice notes.
Editor’s Choice – Recommended
Suggested retail: $11.95
Production: 46,125 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
Maryhill Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sourced from Tudor Hills and Gunkel Vineyard, the grapes were aged 18 months in new French, American and European oak barrels.
Nose: Richly aromatic, with scents of red currant, black raspberry, black olive, violet and dried herbs.
Taste: Polished, with restrained fruit and chalky tannins leading the entry, followed by seductive flavors of dried cherry, dark fruit, tobacco, olive and savory herbs.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Suggested retail: $16.95
Production: 1,900 cases
Alcohol: 13.7%
Maryhill Winery 2011 Malbec
The fruit comes from Milbrandt Vineyards, and was aged for 20 months in 50/50 combination of new French and American oak barrels.
Nose: Generous aromatics of tobacco leaf, black cherry, red currant, dark chocolate, mint leaf and basil.
Taste: Soft plush tannins on the entry are followed by rich, flavorful layers of black cherry, currants, baker’s chocolate, mulberry, dried herbs and a flickering of white pepper on the finish.
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Suggested retail: $16.95
Production: 506 cases
Alcohol: 13.6%
Maryhill Winery 2013 Winemaker’s White
An unoaked, crisp blend of Pinot Gris (45%), Semillon (39%), Sauvignon blanc (12%), Viognier (3%) and Chardonnay (1%). A highly versatile food pairing wine.
Nose: Fresh aromas of Tuscan melon and citrus.
Taste: Balanced and refreshing with a clean-cut mouth feel, portraying a seamless flavor profile of green apple, pear, grapefruit and gooseberry shaded with lemon grass and herbal notes.
Editor’s Choice – Recommended
Suggested retail: $9.95
Production: 8,788 cases
Alcohol: 12.5%
Maryhill Winery 2013 Pinot Gris
Also produced in all stainless steel tanks, this Pinot Gris is sourced from mostly Tudor Hills Vineyards (82%) and Otis Vineyards (18%).
Nose: Aromas of green melon, honeysuckle, clover and almond paste.
Taste: Nimble and crisp, displaying zesty streaks of minerality shaded with fruit flavors of green apple, pear and grapefruit. Dry and balanced with a pleasing finish.
Editor’s Choice – Recommended
Suggested retail: $11.95
Production: 5,130 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
Maryhill Winery 2013 Viognier
The grapes are 100% Viognier, partially fermented (25%) on French oak staves to impart creamy mouthfeel and spice.
Nose: Perfumed aromas of honeysuckle flower, grilled pear, Fuji apple and nutty almond.
Taste: Creamy and medium sweet in style, this is an easy sipper, exuding white peach, mandarin orange, pear, macadamia nut and exotic spice notes.
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Suggested retail: $11.95
Production: 4,533 cases
Alcohol: 14.4%