The 2017 B. Leighton Olsen's Brothers Vineyard Gratitude is a proprietary red blend from the Yakima Valley in the Columbia Valley region of Washington, USA. Produced by B. Leighton Wines, this wine showcases a unique field blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 5% Syrah. It is bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.
This wine has received high praise from various wine reviewers. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it a score of 96, describing it as a "cuvée made for winemaker Brennen Leighton's wife" and noting its "awesome notes of black raspberry liqueur, incense, ground pepper, and forest floor." Dunnuck praised its medium to full-bodied nature, calling it "ripe, powerful yet weightless" and predicting that it will evolve well over the next decade (jebdunnuck.com, 4/15/2020).
James Suckling, who gave the wine a score of 94, highlighted its "smooth, silky texture" and "captivating and beautiful" profile, with flavors of crushed raspberries and undertones of stone and tea leaf. He noted the wine's full-bodied yet polished and creamy texture, with a spicy aftertaste featuring cloves and black pepper (jamessuckling.com, 5/7/2020).
Stephen Tanzer of Vinous rated the wine 93, appreciating its "musky aromas of redcurrant and strawberry" and a "sexy floral quality." He found the wine to be "densely packed, fine-grained and quite firm," with "fresh red berry, floral and olive tapenade flavors displaying serious intensity." Tanzer also remarked on the wine's firm, dusty tannins and its potential for slow evolution (Vinous, 12/1/2019).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine a score of 91. Anthony Mueller described it as having a "red-berried and spicy nose" with "aromas of dusty leather, raspberry blossom, plum, and cherry skin essence." He noted its medium to full-bodied profile and flavors of cherries and red spice with hints of peppercorn, leading to a soft, dusty finish (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 12/11/2020).
In summary, the 2017 B. Leighton Olsen's Brothers Vineyard Gratitude is a well-balanced and highly regarded red blend with complex flavors and aromas, praised for its texture, intensity, and potential for aging.