Lobo Hills emphasizes minimal intervention, similar to traditional French wine techniques. However, some of their more creative techniques, include exploring uses of soil, rocks, oyster shells, and yeasts are exciting. Lobo Hills has an intimidatingly large and impressive lineup. Recognizing this, I was mostly interested in the "tasting room only" wines, and very curious about the recent addition of the winemaker "Anthony Cellars" line.
2019 Cabernet Franc, LSR Lonesome Spring Ranch, Yakima valley. Neutral oak. Lighter loire style Cabernet Franc. Tart cherries, strawberries. Focused. Good structure. $35. Score 90. 2019 Left Bank Blend, LSR Lonesome Spring Ranch, Yakima Valley. Dark fruit and graphite nose. Light bodied cab. Cherry and blueberry palate with nice structure and round tannins, smooth lengthy finish with hints of pepper at the end. $35. Score 92. 2020 Barbera Elephant mountain vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills AVA. 20% new french oak. Beautiful nose, oak, floral and peppery. Fig and cherries, raspberries on the palate. Integrated tannins. $50. Score 90. 2018 Merlot, StoneTree Vineyard StoneTree vineyard, Wahluke Slope AVA. 30% new french. Blueberries, dark berries and slight earthiness and cocoa. Soft finish. $45. Score 90. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tapteil Vineyard Tapetil vineyard, Red Mountain AVA. 50% new french. Dark fruit, vanilla, licorice and sweet spices. Lighter than expected body of blueberries with grippy tannins. $45. Score 91. 2017 Anthony Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Sugarloaf Vineyard Sugarloaf Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills AVA. Pepper and touch of smoke, dark fruit big body with pepper and bacon. Savory and meaty. Round tannins. $90. Score 95. 2015 Anthony Cellars Five Vineyards 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, Sugarloaf Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills; 26% Tapteil Vineyard, Red Mountain; 19% Syrah, Spilya Vineyard, Yakima Valley; 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, Elephant Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills; and 3% Petit Verdot, StoneTree Vineyard. Heavy oak, cigar, tobacco nose. Blueberry and plum medium bold body with grippy tannins, vanilla finish. $70. Score 91. 2016 Anthony Cellars Merlot, Elephant Mountain Elephant mountain, Rattlesnake Hills AVA. Interesting nose of green and black peppercorns, hay. Medium body, Palette of rhubarb, strawberries with smooth tannins, and lengthy smooth finish of cherry and touch of vanilla. $75. Score 94. 2018 Syrah, Spilya vineyard Spilya vineyard, Yakima Valley AVA. 30% new french Earth, mushroom aromas, savory meat. Dark fruit, fig, nutmeg, olive, bold and very nice structure with slightly sticky tannins. Loved it! Awesome value. $35. Score 95. 2017 Anthony Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Elephant Mountain Elephant mountain, Rattlesnake Hills AVA Soft nose Plum, chocolate, coffee aromas. Bright cherry and vanilla and cola grippy tannins. $90. Score 95. 2016 Anthony Cellars Three Vineyards 4% Merlot, Elephant Mountain and Cabernet Sauvignon from the following vineyards: 55% Sugarloaf Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills; 27% Tapteil Vineyard, Red Mountain; and 14% Elephant Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills. Ripe red fruit from red mountain and black pepper nose with notes of graphite. Light to Medium body with complexity, blue and blackerries, firm tannins. $80. Score 94.
Lobo Hills has a great portfolio, and a wine for everyone. The 2018 Syrah, Spilya Vineyard is an absolute bargain, if you prefer the meatier savory Syrahs. The Anthony Cellars lineup was excellent, as I would expect, demonstrating great care, detail and precision.
