Avennia, Justine Red, Columbia Valley

Avennia · Washington › Columbia Valley › United States of America

Red · Red Rhone Blend

Critics

91 /100

Reviews

professional

Vintages

No vintages

No vintage-specific entries have been added for this wine.

Community Reviews

Reviews

90.5

Avg Score

Highest

Good rich GSM that is very versatile with what you pair with it. May have been better the second night so could last a couple of years.

2018 vintage

Wasn't paying too much attention at dinner. It was good enough, but nothing special

2018 vintage

Quite nice after 20 minutes. Medium bodied. Plenty of brambly, raspberry fruit, almost Zin-like, with lifting acidity. No rush to drink.

2017 vintage

Yummy. Still needs a bit of a decant , but leveled out quickly. Enjoyed with some “fancy” pizza. Only one bottle left, gonna have to get some more

2017 vintage

Decanted. Paired with New York strips. Ripe red cherry on nose and palate. Excellent purity of fruit. Smooth and well-balanced with a long silky finish. This appears to have aged superbly judging by previous notes.

2014 vintage

Avennia is a relatively small and new producer. Their first vintage was in 2010. They source all their grapes from other vineyards. They take a minimalist approach. Native yeasts are used. There’s no fining. This particular cuvee “Justine” was aged in 80% neutral French oak and 20% concrete eggs. Around 15% of the stems are included. Only 310 cases were made. The 2018 vintage is a blend of 61% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre and 16% Syrah. This is so smooth. It …

2018 vintage

96 points From WE: Grenache (61%, Upland) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Mourvèdre (23%, Heart of the Hill) and Syrah (Oldfield). There's plentiful huckleberry aromas along with notes of black raspberry, dried herb, black pepper, flower, smoked meat and bittersweet chocolate, showing nuance and detail. The palate is swoon-worthy and knee-buckling, bringing depth and balance along with seemingly endless length. It's shockingly good, with the outrageous balance what separates it. Best from 2022–2027. SEAN P. SULLIVAN

2018 vintage

Gave this an hour decant and that's what I would recommend. This is a marvelous new world GSM that will last for years in the cellar. "Grenache (61%) is in the lead on this wine, followed by Mourvèdre (23%) and Syrah. Alluring aromas of raspberry, blueberry, thistle, herb, smoked meat and black pepper are followed by lush, achingly pure red and blue fruit flavors, accented by a lovely sense of spicing. It's deft but pure. Smoked meat and black pepper …

2017 vintage

Still a baby but already showing its potential. Short decant or hold for 3-4 years.

2018 vintage

Good wine for the price; very different than a Paso GSM; nose is more earthy and dusty; taste is dry with more acid, which lingers on the tongue; good balance to grilled baby back ribs with apricot BBQ sauce

2017 vintage

Hints of fennel and olives and pencil shavings leading to raspberries. A dry and smooth blend yet had a bit of acidity that mellowed over time. Overall a young GSM blend with fine tannins that needs time to unlock its youth. Drink from 2022-2028. Great steal for $20 at k&l.

2017 vintage

Blend of 61% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, 16% Syrah. Medium ruby/violet color. Offers up blackcurrant, cherry, caramel, toast and bay leaf. Creamy and opulent on the palate, with plush tannins, red fruit flavors and some salinity to the finish.

2017 vintage

P&P. Tried this one fresh off the boat. Has much promise (as do all Avennia wines).

2017 vintage

Drank over two nights with 60+ min decant. Was much better second night. Seemed a bit disjointed on night one. Everything came together better on night two.

2014 vintage

Cloudy dark ruby color. Menthol and dark cherry aromas. Consistent flavors with some burnt sugar, earth and tar on a somewhat juicy finish.

2014 vintage

At the $30 we paid, this blend of 49% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre, and 19% Syrah is in the price range of Chateauneuf du Pape and higher than many superb Cote Du Rhones. Clearly the intent of the Avennia winery here is to compete with Southern Rhone blends, so I tasted this side by side with a similarly priced CNDP. The differences are considerable. The Justine is lower in both acidity and tannin, making it taste closer to ripe and a …

2014 vintage

Very impressive wine at this price point. Chris knows how to make wine.

2014 vintage

Aging well, deepening in flavor, keep an eye on this one.

2014 vintage

Another one those solid entry-level wines from a great winery. Double decanted, then drank over two nights. Readily approachable. Medium+ body. Nice drinker with some punch. Will keep for awhile.

2014 vintage