2021 The Don
Tasting notes
Kirsch liquor, orange peel, red licorice, and sandalwood. Swirling brings crème de cassis, rhubarb, cherry compote, green olive tapenade, and dry herbs. The mouthfeel is playful and mouthwatering, with tons of red fruit, citrus, and savory tones. The mid palate is lively, with a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, and remarkable texture and finesse. The wine finishes vibrant, with a kiss of red fruit sweetness, spice, and a mellow grip to make you crave another sip. Beautiful now, you can enjoy this deal of a wine for the next 8 years.
This is stainless steel fermented, with extended maceration. Aged in stainless steel for 14 months.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal Composition | 78% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Syrah |
| Appellation | Royal Slope AVA |
| Vineyard | Solaksen |
| Designation | Lawrence Vineyards |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 1600 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | Washington |
90 pts – Owen Bargreen
91 pts – Jeremy Young, Int’l Wine Report
91 pts – Critic's Choice - Sean Sullivan
Gård Vintners is 100% estate grown sustainably at Lawrence Vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA. Lawrence Vineyards features seven distinct vineyard sites with elevations ranging 930 feet to 1,675 feet. The combination of elevation and south-facing slope provides a great framework for grape production, while the diversity of the seven locations delivers a high level of complexity to Gård wines. Lawrence Vineyards is certified sustainable by Vinewise.org.
MATÍAS KÚSULAS
Winemaker & Viticulturist
A Chilean with Greek roots, Matías was a Marine officer and Naval Engineer in Chile for more than seven years when he realized that it was time to change the course of his career: In 2005, he started studying Agricultural Engineering at the University of Chile, where he graduated with distinction and a major in Viticulture and Enology. He worked in Chile for a few years and in 2011 he decided to start traveling the world on a quest to learn new wine-making techniques. After several harvests in Oceania, Europe and Africa, he settled down in France, to do his post degrees at the Universities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. He also performed for two years as a Maître de Chai for one of the oldest and most reputable wineries in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie.
After years of traveling and over 15 harvests, he came to the United States and joined Gård Vintners/Lawrence Vineyards as a Production Winemaker and Viticulturist, and is currently head winemaker for Gård Vintners, Desert Wind Winery, Valo Cellars, and his own label, Massalto. In his spare time he likes to jump out of planes and is a Judo Black Belt.
