2002 Leonetti Walla Walla Reserve
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Tasting notes
The 2002 Red Wine Reserve is simply stunning, cascading up from the glass with a perfumed blend of dried cherries and spices complementing dusty rose and earth tones. This washes across the palate with the silkiest of textures, pliant and supple, with yet a tinge of sour citrus and tart wild berries that saturate, all motivated by brilliant acidity. The 2002 shows its minerality and mature state through the finish, tapering off with nuances of baked plum and inner earth tones. This is perfectly mature yet in no fear of decline.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
The blackberry, spice, and tar aromas of the 2002 Reserve lead to a medium to full-bodied character. This 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 17% Petit Verdot assemblage regales the palate with cassis, black raspberry, and dark cherry flavors in a sweet, pure format before revealing a plethora of firm tannin in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. Tel. (509) 525-1428; www.leonetticellar.com
(a blend of 51% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 18% petit verdot; aged in 100% new oak, 95% of it French) Bright ruby-red. Pure, floral aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and minerals, with complicating notes of tobacco, tar, pepper and licorice. Suave on entry, then fat, dense and backward. Very firmly structured wine that's youthfully tight and sharply focused. Not a bigger wine than the cabernet, but its cut and clarity are exhilarating. The flavors of cassis, bitter chocolate, licorice and flowers outlast the wine's firm, fine-grained tannins. Superb. An outstanding showing for this year's crop of red wine releases from Leonetti.