“The 2021s from Leonetti Cellar are to die for.” – Vinous

Die?! We live for this kind of stuff.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate defines them as “Seriously rich efforts that have a perfect blend of power and finesse, with gorgeously managed tannin, seamless textures, and awesome purity.” They add, “Kicking off modern-day winemaking in the Walla Walla Valley were Gary and Nancy Figgins with Leonetti Cellar in 1977 as Walla Walla’s first commercial winery. While they paved the way for top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon in the region, Gary Figgins is generally regarded as the founding father of the Walla Walla Valley wine industry.”

It just does not get more OG than Leonetti. Nor do scores get so impressive, or pricing so real. Alongside Quilceda Creek, this is the other truly collectible gem of the Northwest, and beyond.

For the love of it… DO. NOT. MISS. OUT.

97+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The classic 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from this reference point estate checks in as 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec raised 22 months in once-filled oak and neutral oval botti. Its vivid purple hue is followed by a perfumed, youthful bouquet of cassis and blue fruits that give way to more graphite, chalky minerality, violets, and spicy oak. It’s deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a gorgeous mid-palate, ripe, building, polished tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. This absolutely brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be forgotten for 2-4 years and will evolve gracefully over the following two decades. It’s another sensational wine from the talents of Chris Figgins. Drink 2026-2048.”

97 Points – Owen Bargreen “Delicious, decadent and a world-class effort, the 2021 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon is amongst the finest bottlings of its kind that I can recall over the past twenty years, for my palate rivaling only the 2018. Ironically this 2021, along with the 2018 are both 81% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise, black currant jelly, wet stone and shades of huckleberry all mark the nose. The palate is refined and seamless throughout the drinking experience. While obviously black fruit-driven, right now the light green herbal tones from the larger portion of the Petit Verdot are beautifully melding together with the core of rich blackberry and black cherry alongside dark chocolate shavings and graphite. Showing a fantastic combination of weight, length and underlying finesse, this beauty will live on for another two plus decades. Just don’t open for at least another year as this stunner showed best on day 2 and 3. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2025-2050.”

96 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “The 2021s from Leonetti Cellar are to die for. The 2021 vintage played right into the hand of winemaker/owner Chris Figgins. ‘I like unremarkable vintages.’ Figgins explains, ‘However, there was one major remarkable event in 2021- the heat dome and the 118°F temperatures that we had in mid-June. However, following that period, the rest of the season? Unremarkable.’ Figgins went on to explain that if the heat dome had happened any later in the year, it would have been a catastrophe, but in June, the berries remained well-shaded by their canopies. Yields did suffer as a result, down by about 35% from the average. Ultimately, this is a classic lineup from one of Washington State’s most historic benchmark producers. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is intense, smoldering up with a dark blend of blackcurrants, crushed rocks, hints of graphite and sage. This is cool-toned and crisp, with crunchy red and black fruits that cascade across the palate as a saturation of primary concentration adds inner tension. A web of ne-grained tannins penetrates deeply, yet the 2021 maintains a fresh persona, tapering o long, staining and truly classic. Drink 2026-2038.”