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2020 Valo "Atemporal - Conner Lee Vineyard" Columbia Valley Bordeaux Blend

2020 Valo "Atemporal - Conner Lee Vineyard" Columbia Valley Bordeaux Blend

$14.95

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RP

Wine Advocate

Reviewed December 2022
*Favorite Wineries of 2022* With winemaker Matías Kúsulas at the helm of Valo Cellars the wines are gaining traction and notoriety in the Washington wine landscape. Possessing multiple master's degrees in enology, Kúsulas has been on the rise in Washington for years. While a newcomer to the Robert Parker Wine Advocate database this year, Valo Cellars will be on next year's roster to taste through current and soon-to-be-released wines. These wines are thoughtful, smartly made and have a uniqueness and sincerity of expression with a sense of place that is rewarding to the drinker. I'm keeping my eye on Valo Cellars. (AM)

Staff Reviews

RW
Ryan Woodhouse

Ryan Woodhouse

K&L Buyer
Atemporal is a proprietary red blend from Valo that is crafted to reflect the season and site at Connor Lee using the old vine parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. A slightly more bold and boisterous wine than the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon we're offering alongside, perhaps owing to the contrasting growing seasons. The 2020 Atemporal has brilliant fruit purity and lushness on the palate chastened by abundant, but fine-grained and beautifully integrated tannins with graphite mineral tones filling in. Stylistically I'd say this wine sits right in between mountain-grown Cab from Napa...perhaps Howell Mountain or Pritchard Hill, combined with a more savory Bordeaux-like finish. I really enjoy the contrast of the bold, exuberant dark fruit up front, with the more earthy, tobacco, woodsy elements that follow. A fantastically drinkable bottle of wine, supple enough to drink alone, but plenty of heft to stand up to some grilled meat or charcuterie, too. A sensational value, I have mixed feelings about offering these wines at such inexpensive prices...they're truly well worth their original $40 price points, but COVID shutdowns were tough on this exciting new producer and we are partnering with them to offer you INCREDIBLE deals on them! Do not miss them!
MB
Michael Benoit

Michael Benoit

The 2020 "Atemporal - Conner Lee Vineyard" from Valo is a fantastic bargain for a red blend of this quality. The nose is packed with red and black plums, cola berry, tobacco leaf, and a hint of black olive. On the palate the rich, ripe flavors of plum and cassis are buoyed by the fine-grained tannins and medium body. Underneath all that delicious, ripe fruit are savory notes of cocoa, cedar, and black pepper. A really tasty bottle that gives plenty of richness without being heavy or sweet. At this price, I'd buy some while you can!
CD
Carlo Delgado

Carlo Delgado

Valo's 'Atemporal' is a blend of Cabernet (40%), Merlot (40%), & Syrah (20%), from the cool, high elevation sites of 'Conner Lee Vineyard' (Royal Slope AVA). On the nose, deep blackberries, black plums, freshly cracked black pepper, eucalyptus, dried sage, a hint of cigar box and mocha dust. On the palate, the Syrah adds spice, and bright, bramble fruit flavors, that complements the distinctive, herbal character. A well balanced, well structured, captivating blend!

Notes

Valo's wines are sourced from mature vine blocks at the famed Conner Lee Vineyard in Columbia Valley's newly minted Royal Slope AVA. As one of the founding vineyards in the region, initially devised by iconic vigneron Walter Clore, the vines here date back to 1980. They grow in fine sandy loam soils deposited as glacial moraines and by the Missoula Floods. Sitting high on the slope, Conner Lee is a cool and windy site producing concentrated wines with exceptional longevity. Valo winemaker / partner Matías Kúsulas also happens to be the viticulturalist for Lawrence Vineyards who own Connor Lee Vineyard...so it is safe to say he can he can cherry pick his very favorite blocks for his own passion project. The pricing we are offering on these wines is really bitter sweet. Matías and his business partner Michael Ruhland, launched Valo in March of 2019...litterally days before COVID lockdowns took effect. With their brand new tasting room shutdown and their mailing list not yet complied, these were very hard times for a fledgling winery. In an effort to move some inventory that accumulated we negotiated INCREDIBLE pricing that truly belies the incredible quality that these wines deliver.

Details

TypeRed Wine
VarietalCabernet Sauvignon and Blends
OriginWashington, United States
Bottle Size750 mL
SKU1682180