B. Leighton Gratitude 2015

Cellar for up to 12 years. Decant 1 hour before serving.

Washington State winemaker Brennon Leighton founded his namesake winery to express the beauty of the Olsen Hills vineyard in the Yakima Valley. For now it remains a personal project with very limited production using varieties that are not often grown in this part of the world.

Gratitude is a magnificent field blend that was originally created for Brennon’s wife who loves the intense Bandol red wines of Domaine Tempier in Provence, France. Like Bandol, Gratitude is primarily composed of Mourvedre along with a smaller amount of Grenache and a dash of Syrah. The vines grow on excellent volcanic soils at around 350 metres above sea level which helps to give the wine freshness and elegance to balance the luscious fruit flavours and firm tannins from the warm Mediterranean summers.

Once in the winery the fruit is co-fermented together using wild yeasts and the young wine spends 19 months maturing on the lees in neutral French oak barrels. Candied bark, cigar box spice, and rich dark berry notes dominate on the nose while the palate offers plenty of succulent fruit flavours, firm tannins and a long finish with hints of graphite and black olive. The sheer power and grace make this a great wine to cellar for a few more years. It can also be enjoyed now alongside hearty dishes like beef stews, barbecued meats, or a fine steak.