Awards & Press

Anelare 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Columbia Valley, $44

Outstanding: Victor Cruz of Canon De Sol fame built this upon the shoulders of Wahluke Slope fruit from Katherine Leone, Clifton and Weinbau vineyards. A showy barrel program makes for aromas that lead with poached plums, lavender and rose petals, followed by Red Vines, Aussie black licorice and a freshly opened bag of Old Dutch Ketchup potato chips. The drink brims with boysenberry, black cherry and milk chocolate, while cast within a structure of shiny acidity and backed by tannin that merely adds texture. It's one of the benefits that comes with membership at this Kennewick, Wash., boutique winery. (215 cases, 14.2% alc.)

Wine Press NW 2010 Fall Edition 

Anelare 2007 Ciel du Cheval Syrah,
Red Mountain, $59

Excellent: Those who aren't members at this semi-private winery in the Southridge area of Kennewick, Wash., need to get resourceful because this is a member-only offering. The nose casts out hints of blueberry, strawberry fruit leather, smoky bacon, black pepper, tar, cedar and celery leaf. It's an easy drink that focuses on Bing cherries and milk chocolate, broadened by dusty tannins and a bite of Rainier cherry in the finish. (122 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Wine Press NW 2010 Fall Edition 

Anelare 2007 Saint Helena Syrah,
Columbia Valley, $28

Excellent: A production of Goose Ridge and Gamache grapes ushers out whiffs of cordial cherry, alder smoke and crisp bacon. Black cherries express themselves in creamy and luscious fashion as they sidle next to integrated tannins that make for a rich, rewarding and lengthy drink. (222 cases, 14.1% alc.)

Wine Press NW 2010 Fall Edition 

Anelare 2007 Nonna Viola,
Columbia Valley, $24

Outstanding: Few of Victor Cruz's wines are available to the public at this semi-private winery in the Tri-Cities, but this silky blend of Syrah (50%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon is. Goose Ridge, Gamache and Katherine Leone vineyards make for entrancing aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry, warmed by cedar, chocolate, tar. Creamy berries take over with a smooth and persistent density never slowed by tannin. Raspberries offer lingering acidity amid the finish of Belgian chocolate. (292 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Wine Press NW 2010 Fall Edition 

Anelare 2007 Nonna Viola

Appellation: Columbia Valley

Food matches: Pair this luscious red wine with braised or roasted meats and vegetables or pasta with a rich red sauce.

2006 Anelare Nonna Viola Red Wine

“A gold winner and one of my favorite examples of blending syrah into red table wines. In fact, it leads with syrah (50 percent), which helps explain its juicy blackberries and fleshy texture. Next month this winery is planning to open its tasting gallery in the Southridge area. Perfect with a lamb dish."

Eric Degerman
Managing editor of Wine Press Northwest
read the full article 

2005 Anelare Syrah – “Barrel Review”

“The styles of Syrah are varied as more wineries add this stellar Rhone grape to their repertoires. Most try to capture the pure berry fruit, some go for the earthy slate quality and a few, the big spice and pepper is predominate.

Well it may sound cliché, but Anelare Syrah has captured the best of all three worlds. Tasted from the barrel, supple, round and pure, it delivers an enormous range of flavors against a background of polished tannins.

One can only wait till it's put in the bottle to add to the distinctive, juicy quality.

I'm looking forward to it!”

Earl Smart
Certified Sommelier

“A little bit Rhone right here in Washington State, Anelare’s Syrah is a wine with incredible depth and structure along with great fruit and pronounced spice. This 2005 Syrah is deep violet, nearly black in color, with a chewy texture and richness. Beautiful dark aromas of black currant clove, truffles, musk and earth, fill the nose, all the things that we come to love from Syrah. The mouth shows bright blackberry flavors integrated with a rich smokiness, tar, leather, and cigar box. As for food, pair this Syrah with a pork shank osso bucco and truffle risotto.”

Executive Chef
Michael Riley

2005 Anelare Cabernet Sauvignon – “Bottle Review”

“Years ago working in the beer industry I said, ‘God makes wine, Brew Masters make beer.’ How you can take four ingredients… (water, barley, hops, & water) and make a plethora of concoctions of varied styles, form and flavors truly is a master's work.

Tasting Anelare’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has given me pause to re-evaluate that statement.

While true, God has a hand in it, giving Washington and Columbia Valley some of the greatest climate & terroir to grow some of the world's best grapes, it surely takes a master to get in the bottle.

These accolades must be bestowed to Victor Cruz, owner of Canon de Sol Winery and winemaker of the smaller membership only winery, Anelare.

Having the ability to hand select grapes from different vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon is really a blend using 100% Cab grapes from the full, richness of the Wahluke Slope (Katherine Leon Vineyards and Weinbau Vineyards) this Anelare Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely, with Victor Cruz and God’s help, Art in a bottle!”

Earl Smart
Certified Sommelier