AMBASSADOR WINES OF WASHINGTON 2019 ESTATE ENVOY RED BLEND
Several months ago, I was treated to a wine dinner experience at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar at Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac. The visiting winery was Ambassador Wines of Washington, a Woodinville-based boutique winery proud to be “one of the few 100% estate-grown wineries in the state.” They grow their fruit in Red Mountain AVA, a Washington wine region known for its high-quality red grapes, and which Ambassador lauds for the “richness, diversity, and unique characteristics specific to Red Mountain’s coveted glacial soils.”
My favorite sip from the evening was their 2019 estate-grown red blend, Envoy. This Bordeaux-style red comprised 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot. While it’s fruity on the nose, the tasting notes include black pepper tree, green olive, and sage. I found it to be a calm wine with balanced acidity and tannins, warming on the swallow, confident in its identity without gimmick. It was served with lamb riblets, and the earthy finish of the wine paired well with the herb and dirt notes of the dish.
Later years of Envoy, like the 2021 available at the time of writing on Ambassador’s website, have higher percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and less Merlot, resulting in notes that focus more heavily on baking spices before opening to berries and minerals. Pair Envoy with lamb, beef, eggplant, black cherries, and dark chocolate. Taste Ambassador Wines of Washington for yourself at The Vault Wine Bar, Bistro, & Event Space in Blaine.
