NV Locations WA4 750 ml

A “Prisoner” set loose in Washington

Pivotal moments define our lives. For Dave Phinney, his journey to becoming a brilliant, trailblazing young winemaker, began over a plate of pasta in a Florentine trattoria. Phinney was studying abroad with a group of students, one of whom belonged to a California winemaking family. While the young Phinney shoveled in spaghetti bolognese, the Californian spun a tale about the world of winemaking. By the end of the meal, Phinney was more than intrigued.

When he returned to the States, Phinney volunteered to participate on an experimental vineyard project at the University of Arizona, where he was enrolled. He then landed a job at a local fine wine shop where he took full advantage of the many “sample bottles” that came through the doors. Later, after a summer job working the harvest at Mondavi Winery, Phinney was finally able to pull together a couple thousand bucks to purchase two tons of grapes, and released a wine called “The Prisoner” — the rest is history.

That history has seen Phinney’s wines land in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines seven times in the last 11 years. Not to be outdone, Parker called Phinney his “value winemaker of the year” in issue #213 of The Wine Advocate. “If there are better wines for under $20 a bottle in the world today,” Parker challenged, “please share that information with The Wine Advocate.”

Always in constant pursuit to find a flawless marriage of soil, climate, and grape-growing, Washington was a no-brainer for Phinney’s next stop. With vineyards located on the same latitude of some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy (46 N), 14 appellations with a dry and sunny climate to choose from, and an ever-growing list of awards and accolades, Phinney jumped right in.

To create his vision of “Washington,” Phinney did what he does best. He selected the best possible vineyard blocks within the state’s best growing regions to produce a masterful blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Sirah. Heralded as one of the greatest vintages to date, the 2014 growing season was one of the warmest on record. The hot summer weather produced early and evenly ripened fruit, while the cooler fall allowed for extra hang-time on the vine to enhance the development of complex flavors. With such an ideal growing season, the resulting reds were superb. Phinney added the final touch to his luscious stunner with 10 months in French and American oak barrels. At 15% alcohol, this is a SERIOUS wine.

Locations WA4 is deep purple to the edge with bold aromas of wild blueberries, cassis, and forest floor on the nose. Dense flavors of plum, milk chocolate, and framboise on the attack are followed by violet, anise, black tea, and brown spices, adding character and depth to the palate. Layers of flavor and silky tannins join for a very pure and true finish.

An under-$20 wine just shouldn’t be this good. If you’re among the Phinney fanatics here on WineAccess, chances are you’ve already hit the “Buy” button. For the uninitiated, don’t delay, 275 cases won’t last the day.