The Next Cult Winery from The Rocks District?
My guess is it's Pášxa – here are the new (and spectacular) releases
2021 Pášxa Rockgarden Vineyard White Wine
A roughly even blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, this seems to have been given enough oxygen exposure to turn it a burnished gold despite its youth. It's scented with cinnamon and saturated with flavors of nuts, oils, buttered brioche and roasted apples. It's soft and seductive and utterly unique.
55 cases; 13.8%; $95 (Walla Walla – Rocks District) 93/10
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Pášxa 2020 Rockgarden Vineyard Grenache
This puts a pleasing, toasty frame around the core flavors, a lovely mix of cranberry, plum pastry and brown spices. There's an underlying earthy/leafy character with the lightest suggestion of the so-called "good" funk that characterizes this unique AVA. The finish gracefully tails out leaving touches of caramel and coffee grounds. Fans of Grenache (and I am certainly among them) will find this notable for its subtle elegance, length and detail.
60 cases; 13.9%; $85 (Walla Walla – Rocks District) 95/100
Pášxa 2020 River Rock Vineyard Grenache
Grenache from anywhere rarely shows this potent expression of pure terroir, elegance, length, detail and finishing power. Tea, tobacco, earth, blood orange and raspberry liqueur. Despite 60% whole cluster fermentation the savory side is kept proportionate, and 15% new oak adds a subtle focus to the finish. I think maybe the closest comp would be the GOK from Cayuse – the Cayuse a louder, in-your-face style, the Pášxa its gentler brother. By any standard this is a must-taste wine for anyone who loves Grenache.
140 cases; 14.9%; $95 (Walla Walla – Rocks District) 96/100
Pášxa 2020 Rockgarden Vineyard Mourvèdre
The gorgeous fragrance introduces this terrific exploration of this grape as a standalone varietal wine. It's an explosion of berries red blue and black, with highlights of caraway seed and white pepper. There are floral scents of cut flowers and the sort of exotic spicy highlights that speak to this unique AVA. incredibly expressive and long, this takes Mourvèdre to a level rarely if ever seen in this country.
130 cases; 14.5%; $85 (Walla Walla – Rocks District) 96/100
Pášxa 2020 Rockgarden Vineyard Syrah
Made from a selection of the best Syrah from this estate vineyard, this was fermented in concrete and aged in one quarter new French oak. There should be a photo of this wine in the dictionary under Rocks District Syrah – it's that specific and focused. Without going over the top, and maintaining impeccable balance, it captures the blue and black fruits, the earthy umami, the suggestions of bloody meat and herbal tea and all the things that make this AVA unique and iconic. Among the very limited releases from Pášxa this has the biggest production and should be at the top of your must-have list.
These wines are highly allocated and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that I first tasted and previewed these new releases back in the summer and urged readers then to get on the client list. Now is the time while it's still open.
If you need a further nudge, here's a note from the winery about an upcoming event for mailing list members:
"We will be hosting a by-invitation party at our Petros Estate Vineyard (across the street from Rôtie Cellars' Milton Freewater Tasting Room). Look for the PÁŠXA Sunflower.
This is a complimentary opportunity for our mailing list members and their guests to try the 2020 vintage wines, enjoy some light bites and see Petros Vineyard. Drop in anytime, Friday or Saturday, April 7th or 8th, 11am to 3pm. If you would like to pick up your order at this time, the wines will be available for pick up.
As a reminder, these wines are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To place your order directly with our team, please call or text us at 509-876-0200 or email info@pasxawines.com."