2022

The Aerialist

Vineyard Series

Winemaking

Aged 16 months in a combination of 30% new French oak, including 225L barriques and a 500L puncheon. 70% Roussanne, 30% Marsanne.

Place

The Roussanne comes from the heart of the High Canyon block, next to our Viognier, while the Marsanne benefits from being on the slightly cooler north-facing slope just outside of the Red Mountain appellation.

Winemaker's Notes

Concentrated aromas of poached Asian pear, honeydew melon, toasted hazelnuts, crème brûlée, grilled bread, struck flint, and an elusive wisp of spearmint. The palate is where this wine really shines, showing a silky plushness energized by great acidity. Here the white stone fruits and hints of melon match with a complex array of toasted bread, white pepper, mace, and mineral notes. It will be fascinating to see this age for a decade plus.

Pale gold sapphire reflections, reading on the riverside, Keith Jarrett – The Köln Concert

AVA

Columbia Valley

Drink

Now - 2035

$50 / 750ml bottle

Available Spring 2025.

Scores & Reviews

96

Points

The use of the Columbia Valley AVA suggests that these grapes were grown on the north side of Red Mountain, beyond the official AVA, and part of the astonishing new plantings at WeatherEye. It’s a 70/30 Roussanne/Marsanne blend, aged 16 months in 30% new French oak (including at 500L puncheon). It’s aromatic with floral, slightly soapy notes. Big in the mouth, packed with a jumble of citrus, peach and melon fruits, it gently opens into layers of linalool, vanilla and herbal tea around the core fruit. It’s a unique take on this type of blend, and further confirmation that the extraordinary work done by WeatherEye viticulturist Ryan Johnson is paying huge dividends.

- Paul Gregutt

93

Points

A blend of young mangos and apricots is complemented by hints of chamomile, sweet butter and confectioner’s spice as the 2022 Aerialist WeatherEye Vineyard comes to life in the glass. This splashes across the palate, wonderfully fresh and pure with mineral-inflected white pit fruits and hints of savory spice. The 2022 cleans up beautifully, crisp and long and also classically dry with a floral resonance that lingers.

- Eric Guido, Vinous

92-94

Points

Another rockingly good white in the making, the 2022 The Aerialist is mostly Roussanne yet includes 30% Marsanne. It has terrific aromatics of ripe lime and pineapple with a kiss of background bitter green almond and subtle mineral-like aromas and flavors. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and vibrant, with a great finish, it's beautiful stuff.

- Jeb Dunnuck

92

Points

From the various plots in the WeatherEye Vineyard atop Red Mountain and above the elevation of the AVA designation, the intensely ripe Aerialist blends Roussane with 30% Marsanne. Spiced and alluring on the nose with cardamom, toasted chamomile flowers, and elements of poached stone fruits and white pepper. The palate is intensely concentrated. Savoury with blended spices, beeswax and white tea that buoy intense riper stone fruits and a barrel-influenced element of nutmeg that takes us through the finish.

- Clive Pursehouse, Decanter

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