B. Leighton
Gratitude Olsen Brothers Vineyard Red Blend
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Pop n pour. Given that it’s 70% Mourvèdre, the color is surprisingly light. (There’s 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah too.) Medium color saturation. Inviting nose of a melange of ripe berries and a smoky embers note. Crushed rock behind that. Soft and intensely flavored in the mouth, with the berries less prominent, jousting with dark earthy and pleasantly vegetal notes. Soft but balanced acids and tannins almost silky. Really nice. Terrific value at $25 from WTSO.
Pop n pour. Given that it’s 70% Mourvèdre, the color is surprisingly light. (There’s 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah too.) Medium color saturation. Inviting nose of a melange of ripe berries and a smoky embers note. Crushed rock behind that. Soft and intensely flavored in the mouth, with the berries less prominent, jousting with dark earthy and pleasantly vegetal notes. Soft but balanced acids and tannins almost silky. Really nice. Terrific value at $25 from WTSO.
Dec 9th, 2025
Ruby in color with medium plus intensity.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body.
Dry on the palate with medium acidity.
Showing red fruits with earth, light wood, spices, coffee, black tea, metals and peppercorn.
Short and tangy finish with tart raspberries and soft tannins.
This 7 year old Mourvedre blend from Yakima Valley is still drinking nicely, although a little past its prime. Soft and smooth. Elegant and fruit forward.
This Single Vineyard GSM blend is elegant and feels more like a like Southern Rhone red. Nicely balanced with nice complexity.
A blend of 70% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$45.
Ruby in color with medium plus intensity.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body.
Dry on the palate with medium acidity.
Showing red fruits with earth, light wood, spices, coffee, black tea, metals and peppercorn.
Short and tangy finish with tart raspberries and soft tannins.
This 7 year old Mourvedre blend from Yakima Valley is still drinking nicely, although a little past its prime. Soft and smooth. Elegant and fruit forward.
This Single Vineyard GSM blend is elegant and feels more like a like Southern Rhone red. Nicely balanced with nice complexity.
A blend of 70% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$45.
Expired hoisin and what I would imagine possum meat smells like on the nose.
Expired hoisin and what I would imagine possum meat smells like on the nose.
Aug 17th, 2021Definitely a hot year wine. So a bit loose, but by no means do I think that ruins it. It is just a young drinking, fruit forward/jammy treat. On the nose, ripe strawberry, red plums, a hint of wet stone, and some fleshy notes are all in the GSM wheelhouse. Where it delights is the palate: the strawberry is pronounced, but there are a lot of nuanced flavors of: graphite, black plum/currant, blackberry, black tea, smoke and tobacco. Yum!
Definitely a hot year wine. So a bit loose, but by no means do I think that ruins it. It is just a young drinking, fruit forward/jammy treat. On the nose, ripe strawberry, red plums, a hint of wet stone, and some fleshy notes are all in the GSM wheelhouse. Where it delights is the palate: the strawberry is pronounced, but there are a lot of nuanced flavors of: graphite, black plum/currant, blackberry, black tea, smoke and tobacco. Yum!
Jun 26th, 2020
Blueberry, plum, smoke, meat, savory, ripe,....so many adjectives. Good wine!
Blueberry, plum, smoke, meat, savory, ripe,....so many adjectives. Good wine!
Nov 5th, 2017
Tasted the B. Leighton at K Vintners. B. Leighton is made by Charles's Smith's Wine Director Brendon Leighton made in conjunction with Charles. On the notes, sweet blue fruits and mixed dark berries leap out of the glass. Spices, loamy soils, dark florals and purple florals. The palate is M body with just M+ tannins. It starts with ripe, elegant, blue fruits, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, strawberries and again the heat intensity spices overlay the fruits. Loamy soils, soft volcanic soils, black tea, violets, red rose petals, perfect round acidity and lean, elegant, beautiful Burgundian finish. Really enjoyed all the nuances this wine offered.
Tasted the B. Leighton at K Vintners. B. Leighton is made by Charles's Smith's Wine Director Brendon Leighton made in conjunction with Charles. On the notes, sweet blue fruits and mixed dark berries leap out of the glass. Spices, loamy soils, dark florals and purple florals. The palate is M body with just M+ tannins. It starts with ripe, elegant, blue fruits, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, strawberries and again the heat intensity spices overlay the fruits. Loamy soils, soft volcanic soils, black tea, violets, red rose petals, perfect round acidity and lean, elegant, beautiful Burgundian finish. Really enjoyed all the nuances this wine offered.
1 person found it helpfulAug 15th, 2017
New one for me, good combination of earthiness, roundness and bite.
New one for me, good combination of earthiness, roundness and bite.
Jun 15th, 2025