The Wines

The Wines

100% single varietal wines from the finest vineyards in Washington

Tenor Merlot

We’re not making Merlot for the faint of heart. Merlot is one of the world’s greatest red varietals. It can be big, supple and complex, but coaxing all those notes out of the grape is a challenge, which is why it’s often maligned or misunderstood as a soft, generic red. We want to showcase a wholly different side of Merlot. We want to show that even a 100% Merlot can be as big, as textured and as exciting to drink as a Cabernet and bring its own unique voice to the table. Merlot loves Washington’s climate. The unique sites and growing season enable us to bring out a little bit of everything that great Merlot is known for. We get enough heat and exposure to develop great ripeness and freshness, but our long season, cool nights and large diurnal shifts enable us to build great concentration and flavor intensity as well. We think of it as big and rich meets lean and racy. Tenor Merlot is full throttle and exciting, but still balanced and elegant.

The 2016 Tenor Merlot was crafted from several vineyards across three separate AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, and the Walla Walla Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early morning between late September and late October, with the final pick coming on October 28th, 2016. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either stainless steel (81%) or concrete (19%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels for 21 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting 11 barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, on August 13th, 2018, producing only 257 cases.

Vintage:

Tenor Grenache

The 2019 Tenor Grenache was crafted from a single vineyard, named Thunderstone, which is located in Washington State’s Royal Slope AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one cluster per shoot for maximum concentration. After a warm growing season, they were hand-harvested in the early morning of October 11th, 2019. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. Fermented in stainless steel tanks for over three weeks, the resulting free run wine was then moved to three 500L French oak puncheons (33% new) for 16 months of cellaring. Three puncheons barrels were bottled (unfined and unfiltered) in April of 2021, resulting in only 165 cases.

The 2020 Tenor Grenache was crafted from the Thunderstone vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were hand-harvested in the early mornings between September and October 2020. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in stainless steel. Using only the free-run wine, it was moved to 69% new French oak and 31% neutral French oak barrels for 22 months of cellaring. After our most rigorous selection process, only 3 of our highest-grade barrels were selected and bottled, producing 160 cases.

Vintage:

Tenor Syrah

"A beautiful balance of a gamey texture vs. bright red fruits makes for an aromatic and showy Syrah. Smoke, meat, citrus rind, and clove on the nose. It's a fleshy wine toned down by the strong minerality."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"Notes of dark plums, black cherry, cured meat & a hint of clove. A soft and fragrant pepper is there but is buried in the fruit right now. A touch of saline & a floral push add to the complexity. The palate is massive and concentrated." -Aryn Morell, Winemaker

“Flashy black fruit around baking spice. a hint of tobacco leaf and beef carpaccio. Massive amounts of plum skin, blackberry, black cherry and cassis. Swirled it gets more savory, adding saline and an almost umami type quality to the fruit. Black pepper, berry compote, cured meat and a jammy sweetness make this a wildly complex nose." Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"Plum sauce, smoke, bacon fat and garrigue. Otherworldly complex with black fruit, baking spices, smoked meat and wood resin. The mouthfeel is rich and vibrant with squeezed berries, wood spice, minerals and smoked meat. This wine will be stunning for the next decade."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"Sweet smoke, perfectly ripe black currants, plum skin, black tea, and spice. This vintage is all about polish and precision with every note and detail in its perfect place. This is pure and polished with black fruit, tea spice and potpourri and a beautiful lifting finish." - Aryn Morell, Winemaker

Ripe and polished with notes of blackberry, plums and spice. A hint of bacon fat and gorgeous floral note weave through, giving it life and vibrancy. Swirling brings up darker yet sweeter fruits and a whiff of cocoa powder. The palate is round, with terrific texture and freshness, balanced by rich fruit and silky tannins that keep lingering for minutes.

Syrah loves to grow in Washington State, and we wanted to create a Syrah that showcases the best characteristics of what has become one of Washington’s signature grapes. We’ve worked hard to find that profile that gives people the essence of everything they love to taste in a Washington Syrah, all in one bottle. Tenor Syrah is a Syrah-lover’s Syrah in that it is a balanced and complete expression of everything that varietal can be: seductive and opulent, but still remarkably fresh and nuanced. This is a Tenor wine, so it’s big on texture and un-apologetically fruit forward, but tempered by well-integrated acidity and ultrafine tannins.

Syrah loves to grow in Washington State, and we wanted to create a Syrah that showcases the best characteristics of what has become one of Washington’s signature grapes. We’ve worked hard to find that profile that gives people the essence of everything they love to taste in a Washington Syrah, all in one bottle. Tenor Syrah is a Syrah-lover’s Syrah in that it is a balanced and complete expression of everything that varietal can be: seductive and opulent, but still remarkably fresh and nuanced. This is a Tenor wine, so it’s big on texture and un-apologetically fruit forward, but tempered by well-integrated acidity and ultrafine tannins.

The 2017 Tenor Syrah was crafted from three exclusive vineyards in Washington State’s Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early mornings of October 10 and October 25, 2017. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks (67%) and oak barrels (33%). Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom 500L French oak puncheons for cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 3 puncheons were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on July 2nd, 2019. These 3 puncheons yielded only 148 cases.

The 2018 Tenor Syrah was crafted from two exclusive vineyards in Washington State’s Royal Slope and Yakima Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices with nearly all organic products, the vines were primarily limited to one cluster per shoot or three clusters per spur for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early mornings October 11th – October 20th, 2018. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. Fermented in 60% stainless steel tanks (Scarline VIneyard) and 28% oak barrels (Boushey), with the remaining 12% in stainless steel tanks, resulting in texture variation and aromatic complexity. The wine was then moved to a combination of 500L and 600L French oak puncheons for 19 months of cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, these exclusive four puncheons yielded only 239 cases which were bottled on July 8, 2020.

This 2019 Tenor Syrah was crafted from vineyards from all over Washington State. The vines were primarily limited to one cluster per shoot or three clusters per spur for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early fall mornings of 2019. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. Fermented in 66% stainless steel tanks and 27% oak barrels, and 7% concrete, resulting in texture variation and aromatic complexity. The wine was then moved to French oak puncheons for 24 months of cellaring. These exclusive puncheons yielded only 285 cases which were bottled in Nov 2021.

The 2020 Tenor Syrah was crafted from Scarline Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA and Va Piano Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. The fruit was hand-harvested in the early mornings of October. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in stainless steel (74%) and barrels (26%). The free-run wine was then cellared for 21 months in new French oak (74%). The resulting 4 barrels were bottled in July 2022, producing only 236 cases.

Tenor Malbec

"An approachable, youthful vibrance with a strong texture up front. Elegant and fine tannins balance out the thick and powerful finish. "- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"The palate is opulent and creamy with superfine tannins and an incredibly long finish. The balance is immaculate with every transition in perfect harmony."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"Decadent nose of currants, plum sauce and spring flowers mixed with black tea. Air adds blackberries, currants and plum jam with a wild hibiscus concentrate. A touch of savory herbs and fresh black olive add mouthwatering complexity. The palate is fresh and dense with great acid and firm but sweet tannins." - Aryn Morell, Winemaker

"Hibiscus tea, blackberry and white tea dominate this floral beauty. Spring flowers, juicy black fruit and spice come up with air while the palate is round, fresh and light on its feet. Blackberries, tea and spice flow seamlessly with superfine tannins all through the finish."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

Coming June 2017... Tenor Malbec is true both to the brand and the grape. Like all Tenor wines, it is richly textured, fruit forward, and unabashedly opulent. But true to the varietal, it is fresh, beautifully perfumed and supremely silky. It’s a complete Malbec in that both the nose and mouth feel are intense and fully developed.

Tenor Malbec is characterized by racy freshness, and one of the most flamboyant aromatic profiles in the Tenor portfolio. Expect captivating notes of floral perfume and fresh raspberry and blackberry—straight off the vine, and acidity you can almost smell. Round that out with remarkably silky tannins and light sweetness and great length.

Tenor Malbec is true both to the brand and the grape. Like all Tenor wines, it is richly textured, fruit forward, and unabash- edly opulent. But true to the varietal, it is fresh, beautifully perfumed and supremely silky. If you love malbec, you’ll love the way Tenor malbec accentuates the notes that define this varietal, and even if you don’t drink a lot of

The 2017 Malbec was crafted from two small vineyard parcels along the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early morning between Septem- ber 27th - October 6th, 2017. Upon arriving in the win- ery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in concrete tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels (83% new) for 23 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. Only 7 barrels were bottled (unfined and unfiltered) producing only 147 cases.

The 2018 Reserve Malbec was crafted from two small vineyard parcels along the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early morning between September 21st – September 27th, 2018. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in concrete tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels for 27 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. Only 8 barrels were bottled, unfined and unfiltered, producing only 193 cases.

The 2019 Tenor Malbec was crafted from several vineyards across the Royal Slope in Washington State. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early mornings of September 20th – October 27th, 2019. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in 22% concrete and 78% stainless steel. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels for 24 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting 26 barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, producing only 270 cases.

The 2020 Tenor Malbec was crafted from the Champoux vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills AVA and the Scarline & Solaksen vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. The fruit was hand-harvested early in the morning in October. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in barrel (100%). The free-run wine was cellared for 21 months in new French oak (78%) and used French oak (22%). The resulting 9 barrels were bottled in July 2022, producing only 211 cases.

Tenor Cabernet Sauvignon

"A refined but powerful wine the 2008 Tenor Cab has hints of black cherry, currants, cassis, and vanilla. Swirling brings up mocha with bitter sweet chocolate tones. There's weight on the palette from the rich tannins but it's lifted up at the end from the fresh acidity. " -Aryn Morell

With its well known potential for rich, dark-fruited aromatics and powerful palate presence, Cabernet Sauvignon is a variety that allows a tremendous amount of stylistic influence. Our Cabernet is an almost perfect blend of both the ripe and more forward styles of Cab and the fresher, more structured wines of the Old World.

"Gorgeous sweet smoke, spice and cassis mixed with a plum and blueberry puree. Lightly roasted coffee and cocoa powder add to the nose with some air. The mouthfeel is absolutely stunning, with opulent textures, never ending fruit and flawless tannins. This is a purists Cabernet and it certainly will not disappoint."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

Ripe and fresh with blackberry, plum skin, lightly roasted coffee and a dusting of cocoa powder. Swirling adds a heady mixture of macerated red berries, bramble and a nice combination of dark baking spices. This is polished, with nice volume and flesh. Firm tannins help keep the fruit in balance making this mouthwatering Cabernet utterly drinkable.

Aromatics of muddled raspberry, plum skin, vanilla bean and spice. A wave of blackberry, black currants and black tea adds complexity. Swirling brings up a sweetness to the fruits while adding a dried strawberry note and a vibrant energy. The palate is bright and beautifully structured with remarkable acidity balancing the ripe black fruits.

The 2016 Tenor Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from several vineyards across two separate AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley and Red Mountain. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several early mornings in late October, with the final pick on October 27th, 2016. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either concrete (95%) or stainless steel (5%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels for 26 months of cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 10 barrels were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on January 23rd, 2019. These 10 barrels resulted in 214 cases.

The 2017 Tenor Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from two vineyards across two separate AVAs in Washington State: Royal Slope and Red Mountain. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several early mornings throughout October, with the final pick on October 28th, 2017. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in stainless steel (76%) and concrete (24%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to 100% new custom French oak barrels for 23 months of cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 6 barrels were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on September 11th, 2019, resulting in only 146 cases.

The 2018 Tenor Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from multiple vineyards across three separate AVAs in Washington State: Royal Slope, Red Mountain and Walla Walla. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several early mornings throughout September to November, with the final pick on November 5th, 2018. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in stainless steel (74%) and concrete (26%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to for 26 months of cellaring in 91% new French Oak barrels. After many evaluations by our winemaking team, only 11 barrels were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on February 2021, resulting in only 266 cases.

The 2019 Tenor Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from multiple vineyards across two AVAs in Washington State: Royal Slope and Red Mountain. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several early mornings throughout September and October. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in stainless steel (58%) and concrete (42%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved for 24 months of cellaring in 100% new French oak barrels. After many evaluations by our winemaking team, only 12 barrels were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, in November 2021, resulting in only 289 cases.

Tenor Chardonnay

The Tenor Chardonnay is a hybrid of classical and new world thinking, designed to take advantage of the strengths of Washington’s climate and geography. Tenor Chardonnay is classically recognizable as Chardonnay, especially in the aromatic profile, but also recognizable as a Tenor wine, in that it’s not afraid to go beyond common conventions for the grape. Grapes grown in this state are capable of remarkable freshness, as well as depth of flavor, and our goal is to create a pure and balanced expression of this grape as a stand-alone varietal. Like all Tenor wines, the chardonnay is big and opulent, intense and fruit forward, but it also shows great restraint. We’ve toned down the oak influence and upped the acidity to deliver a wine that is fresher, more angular and precise, and less soft or heavy on the palate.

Tenor Chardonnay brings the best of new and old-world winemaking, in order to take advantage of the strengths of Washington’s climate and geography. Our goal is to create a pure and balanced expression of chardonnay as a stand-alone varietal. Like all Tenor wines, this wine is big and opulent, intense and fruit forward, but the oak is well integrated and the acidity delivers freshness and brightness on the palate. Barrel fermenting enables this wine to age gracefully, gaining layers of complexity through 4 to 8 years and possibly longer.

Tenor Chardonnay brings the best of new and old-world winemaking, in order to take advantage of the strengths of Washington’s climate and geography. Our goal is to create a pure and balanced expression of chardonnay as a stand-alone varietal. Like all Tenor wines, this wine is big and opulent, intense and fruit forward, but the oak is well integrated and the acidity delivers freshness and brightness on the palate. Barrel fermenting enables this wine to age gracefully, gaining layers of complexity through 4 to 8 years and possibly longer.

The 2018 Tenor Chardonnay was crafted from three vineyards along the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over several very early mornings in late August and mid September. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then 100% barrel fermented. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels for 21 months of cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 6 barrels and 2 puncheons were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on August 11, 2020. These barrels and puncheons resulted in only 296 cases.

The 2019 Tenor Chardonnay was crafted from two vineyards along the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley: Stillwater Creek and Solaksen. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested at night and in the early mornings of late summer 2019. Upon arrival at the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. The free run juice was 100% barrel-fermented, then moved to custom French oak barrels (28% new) for 19 months of aging. After extensive evaluation by our winemaking team, the wine was bottled, without fining or filtration, on May 11th, 2021. Only 259 cases were produced.

The 2020 Tenor Chardonnay was crafted from two vineyards along the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley: La Reyna Blanca and Solaksen. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were hand-harvested in early fall of 2020. Upon arrival at the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. The free run juice was 100% barrel-fermented, then moved to custom new French oak barrels for aging. The wine was bottled in late June, 2022. Only 66 cases were produced.

Tenor Sauvignon Blanc

Toasty spices leap up from the glass along with kiwi, guava, pineapple, white grapefruit, beeswax, and high-toned herbal notes. The palate is silky, rich, and textured, laced with citrus and tropic fruit flavors accented by vibrant acidity. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Stillwater Creek. Aged 7 months in 100% new French oak. 14.6% alcohol

Ripe melon, citrus and peaches mixed with exotic spices and white flowers. White currants and grapefruit arrive with swirling, combined with enormous richness and an intriguing light toast. Grapefruit, kiwi and guava combine on the palate of this decadently textured wine. A warm vintage creates a full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

Ripe melon, citrus and peaches mixed with exotic spices and white flowers. White currants and grapefruit arrive with swirling, combined with enormous richness and an intriguing light toast. Grapefruit, kiwi and guava combine on the palate of this decadently textured wine. A warm vintage creates a full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc."- Aryn Morell, Winemaker

With the Tenor Sauvignon Blanc, we set out to create a wildly different white wine. Something that would be a little out there, very intriguing, but still remarkably approachable. To accomplish this, we pushed many of our processes and techniques to an extreme. It’s not unheard of to create a 100% Sauvignon Blanc, or to barrel ferment it, or to do it in 100% new oak, or even to macerate the grapes. But to do all of those things, and to let the maceration continue for 24-48hrs (much longer than traditionally done) results in a truly unique wine, with the intensity and depth of character of typical Tenor wines. It also enables us to deliver a sauvignon blanc that is able to age for 10 years and still maintain its structure and freshness.

It isn’t unusual to create a 100% Sauvignon Blanc, or to barrel ferment it, or to do it in high percentages of new oak, or even to macerate the grapes. However, doing all of these things and letting the maceration continue for 24-48 hours (much longer than traditionally done) results in a truly unique wine that dis- plays the intensity and depth of character for which Tenor has become known. It also enables us to deliver a Sauvignon Blanc that will age for 6-10 years and still maintain its structure and freshness.

The 2018 Tenor Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from two vine- yards in Washington State along the Royal Slope AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested over the very early mornings of Septem- ber 15th and 16th, 2018. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then 100% barrel fermented. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to puncheons and stainless steel tanks for further cellaring. After nearly 50 individual evaluations by our winemaking team, only 1 puncheon and 2 tanks were selected and bottled, without fining or filtration, on July 2, 2019, resulting in only 105 cases.

The 2019 Tenor Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from two vineyards along the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley: Stillwater Creek and La Reyna Blanca. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested at night and in the early mornings of late 2019. Upon arrival at the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. The free run juice was fermented and aged in 600L barrels for 19 months. After extensive evaluation by our winemaking team, the wine was bottled, without fining or filtration, on May 11th, 2021. Only 193 cases were produced.

The 2020 Tenor Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from two vineyards along the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley: Stillwater Creek and La Reyna Blanca. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in the early Fall of 2020. Upon arrival at the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted and berry-sorted. The free run juice was fermented and aged in new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled in late June, 2022. Only 118 cases were produced.

The 2021 Tenor Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from two vineyards, Bacchus in White Bluffs AVA and La Reyna Blanca in the Royal Slope AVA. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. They were then hand-harvested in August & September of 2021. The fruit was sorted in the field and whole-cluster pressed until desired flavor profile was achieved. The juice went through a long and slow fermentation, in 85% new French oak of varying format size and then aged for 1 year. This wine was cold stabilized and bottled unfiltered for maximum flavor and aromatic intensity. Only 148 cases were produced.