Obelisco Estate: Red Mountain Vineyard, Woodinville Tasting Room

Obelisco Estate is a relatively new winery founded by Doug Long, Paul Kaltinick, and Dick Shaw. Together the partners bring over 70 years of grape growing and winemaking experience to the winery. Named for the tall and narrow four-sided obelisks that were carved out of granite by craftsmen as early as 2000 BC, Obelisco Estate strives to produce world-class wines from vineyards in Washington State’s famed Red Mountain AVA. Pete Hedges and Sarah Goedhart serve as winemakers.

We recently had the opportunity to taste all five wines from Obelisco Estates’ second vintage in a blind samples tasting including the 2008 Malbec, 2008 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Syrah, 2008 Red Wine, and 2008 Merlot. The fruit for all of these wines, with the exception of the Syrah that is from the Hedges Family’s Les Gosses Vineyard, is sourced from the Obelisco Estate Vineyard. The 30-acre vineyard is located on the southwest slope of Red Mountain.

In August of last year, Obelisco Estate opened a tasting room in Woodinville’s warehouse district. Open regularly on the weekends and by appointment during the week, Obelisco Estate is a great place to visit. Not only are their wines very good, but also their tasting room is nicely appointed and welcoming.

2008 Obelisco Estate Malbec (Obelisco Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington): 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep red in color. Nice nose with beautiful black fruit and tobacco aromas. More black fruit and tobacco as well as spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

2008 Obelisco Estate Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon (Obelisco Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington): 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Malbec. Deep red in color. Nice nose with black fruit, vanilla, and spice on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied and lively with medium to high tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long, elegant finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $60

2008 Obelisco Estate Syrah (Les Gosses Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington): 90% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple. Very aromatic with black fruit, black pepper, and floral notes on the nose. Blackberry, black cherry, and black pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium to high, drying tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

2008 Obelisco Estate Red Wine (Obelisco Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington): 70.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 4.5% Malbec. Deep red. Aromatic with red fruit and spice aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high, drying tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

2008 Obelisco Estate Merlot (Obelisco Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington): 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, and 5% Syrah. Deep, ruby red in color. Aromatic with black fruits, smoke, and vanilla notes on the nose. Black cherry, black plum, smoke, and a hint of cola come through on the nose. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30

Obelisco Estate: Red Mountain Vineyard, Woodinville Tasting Room was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.