Latta wines was established in 2011 by winemaker Andrew Latta. Focusing on select Washington vineyards, including Upland, Weinbeau, and Lawrence vineyards, Latta wines provide mostly Rhone offerings, utilizing neutral French barrels and puncheons. I was grateful to taste on a quiet day in their Urban SODO tasting room, and thoroughly enjoyed these remarkable wines.
2019 Roussane Lawrence Vineyard, 15% new oak. Medium bodied of lemon, custard, mint, salinity. Smooth and full on the palate with finish of stewed pears and notable oak. $30. Score 90. 2018 "Latta Latta" GSM 57% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre. Upland and Freewater Rocks Vineyard. 55% whole cluster. Perfume, blossoms and light nose strawberry and raspberry jam, cardamom, black and white pepper. Body is light and soft on the palate initially, opening to lively tangy red fruit, black pepper, black tea and creosote. This is a well structured and balanced GSM. Finish is lengthy with drying tannins. $35. Score 92. 2018 Grenache, Upland Vineyard 50% whole cluster Aromas of cherries and plum, fall leaves, tea, nutmeg, rosemary. Intense, Juicy red and black plums with sweet baking spices, and black pepper. Light to medium bodied, and mouth coating, strong backbone with firm tannins. Great balance. $45. Score 95. 2018 Mourvedre, Upland Vineyard Upland Vineyard. 70% whole cluster. Aromas of espresso, cocoa, dark chocolate, toasted almonds and earth. Medium bodied, smooth palate, layered and complex with cherries, strawberries, coffee beans. Firm slightly chewy chalky tannins. Lengthy finish with inflection of tart cherries. $45. Score 94. 2018 Syrah, Dana Dibble Rocks district Toffee and wet stone, graphite, and smoky aromas open to a light medium body with focused fruit of black plum with vibrant, lively acidity. Notes of pepper followed by a lengthy drying finish. A peppery and fresh Syrah. $45. Score 91. 2018 Cab Sauv / Syrah 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Syrah Freewater Rocks Vineyard Plum and oak nose, open into bold dark coffee, earth, currants and tobacco. Finish with gripping tannins and menthol. $45. Score 89.
Latta wines showed incredibly well. If you enjoy Rhone varietals, I would highly recommend checking them out. I loved, and picked up the 2018 Grenache, Upland Vineyard, and the 2018 Mourvedre, Upland Vineyard. The 2018 Latta Latta GSM was also solid, and the next runner up.
