The views from the top of Cam Myhrvold’s majestic Red Mountain property inspire one to dream big. What is possible? In vineyard manager Ryan Johnson, Cam found a willing partner - ready to explore the full potential of the site. Ryan spent 15 months researching the 360-acre site and learning the land, before planting a single vine.
The top of the property reaches over 1,200 feet of elevation. As a result, the highest vineyard sites feature fractured basalt lava barely covered by a skiff of windblown soil, bringing to mind the rocky growing regions of Côte Rôtie or Priorat.
As of 2023, 37 acres have been planted. LIMINAL has exclusive access to many of the vineyard’s diverse blocks. Varieties include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Though we are always, by definition, at the precise intersection of past and future, from a distance we can offer a more meaningful context; we can perceive a nexus: a game-changing moment where the future is laid out—the possible—as a rethinking and refining of the past.
THE PLACE
The liminal space can be physical too: the natural manifestation of a metaphysical concept. The long, winding ribbon that runs along the top of Red Mountain where WeatherEye is located is such a place, such a threshold. To the south and west lies Red Mountain’s past, the first vineyards planted nearly 50 years ago. One of the smallest AVAs, Red Mountain is home to some of the state’s most renowned wineries and highly rated wines. Sandy soils, gusty winds, low rainfall, a southwest-facing slope, and extreme temperature variation all contribute to the creation of age-worthy wines of intense color, balance, and richness.
From the well-established vineyards of past, blustery winds rush up through the High Canyon and whistle over the ridge to the north. Lacking a wine history, the northern side is a rural expanse of wild scrub brush, yarrow, and sage, overlooking the large farms and small ranges that punctuate the valley. Tightly spaced vines, many trained on poles, cling to the vertiginous slope of inhospitable rocky soils. Here, the morning sun bathes the vines while the hillside provides some protection from the punishing afternoon heat; the wind is still present, but with less momentum than to the south and west.
MOVING FORWARD
Amidst these harsh conditions, a new expression of Washington emerges. This is the future as conceived by Cam Myhrvold and Ryan Johnson, a future in which we are inspired to participate. But, as this mental picture illustrates, there is no forging the future, without first understanding the past. Together, Ryan and Chris have over 40 years involvement in Washington wine and a passion to serve as stewards for its future. Cam and Marty, too, have a long history of seeing possible futures and striving to attain them.
THE WINE
The usually lighter-hued Grenache is dark ruby in color and compellingly structured. The Syrah, a midnight ink, pulses with purple fruits, floral elements, wild game. The depth and complexity, the concentrated structural force, buoyed by a freshening acidity, are all notably present in the most impressive quantity. In short, the wines are DIFFERENT—reflecting the next level efforts of Cam and Ryan. Their passion and precision drive this project from its roots. Literally.
OUR AIM
At LIMINAL, our over-arching goal is to reflect the effort, passion, and work that was put into this special place, in the wines; to translate the vineyard and all its qualities, into the glass. If the story is one of complexity, our goal remains simple: a dedication to using fruit from the most exciting and ambitious vineyard in Washington to create wines that shine on the world stage.
100% single block Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak.
Place
This beautiful block sits on the lower section of the Red Mountain side of the vineyard. Featuring a perfect southwest aspect, it gets the maximum sun exposure for depth and concentration. The land itself is wind-blown loess covering an alluvial floodplain, dotted with indigenous sage.
Winemaker's Notes
Explosively and exotically nuanced aromas of crème de cassis, Himalayan blackberry, black roses, dried violets, pencil shavings, crushed volcanic rock, and liquefied river minerals. While extremely dense and concentrated, this wine has a lot of grace and poise on the palate. The finish of inky deep black fruits, richly refined oak tones, and exotic floral notes, is utterly bewitching. Leave it for 5-7 years if you can or decant well before drinking. This is a 30-year wine in the making.
Review:
Lastly, and a wine that stopped me in my tracks, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Block 47 might be the wine of the vintage. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of caramelized red and blue fruits, classy oak, lead pencil shavings, and a Latour-like sense of minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great, great finish. I love its balance and purity, but I suspect it’s going to demand bottle age.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Points
100% single block Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak.
Place
This beautiful block sits on the lower section of the Red Mountain side of the vineyard. Featuring a perfect southwest aspect, it gets the maximum sun exposure for depth and concentration. The land itself is wind-blown loess covering an alluvial floodplain, dotted with indigenous sage.
Winemaker's Notes
Explosively and exotically nuanced aromas of crème de cassis, Himalayan blackberry, black roses, dried violets, pencil shavings, crushed volcanic rock, and liquefied river minerals. While extremely dense and concentrated, this wine has a lot of grace and poise on the palate. The finish of inky deep black fruits, richly refined oak tones, and exotic floral notes, is utterly bewitching. Leave it for 5-7 years if you can or decant well before drinking. This is a 30-year wine in the making.
Liminal Syrah High Canyon Block is made from 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier.
WeatherEye Vineyard - steep slope of High Canyon block.
Dark ruby/purple.
Ethereal aromas of black fruits threaded with violets, aniseed, cacao nibs, bee pollen.
Bass notes of Syrah - blackberry compote, fresh ink - in sublime counterpoint with Viognier’s floral lift glide through to the long finish.
Review:
"More black and blue fruits, iron, lavender, and some background meaty notes emerge from Liminal’s 2020 Syrah WeatherEye Vineyard High Canyon, a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier that spent 16 months in used barrels. With medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and flawless balance, it’s one of the true gems in the vintage. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck" 97 points
Liminal WeatherEye Vineyard The Mountain Tower is made from 40% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot.
All three of these blocks lie quite close together on the steep north-facing side of WeatherEye. Here, full ripeness is reached while preserving great varietal character and lively acidity.
Elegant and evocative aromas of red and black currants, dark plum, violet, Ugandan chocolate, wild tobacco, crushed vanilla bean, and dried thyme. Suave and poised on the palate, with beautifully complex black and blue fruit compote, crushed wild roses, clean tilled dark earth, and windblown herbs. This wine, though drinking great now, is still gathering power, and will age gracefully for many years to come.
Liminal WeatherEye Vineyard The Mountain Tower is made from 40% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot.
All three of these blocks lie quite close together on the steep north-facing side of WeatherEye. Here, full ripeness is reached while preserving great varietal character and lively acidity.
Elegant and evocative aromas of red and black currants, dark plum, violet, Ugandan chocolate, wild tobacco, crushed vanilla bean, and dried thyme. Suave and poised on the palate, with beautifully complex black and blue fruit compote, crushed wild roses, clean tilled dark earth, and windblown herbs. This wine, though drinking great now, is still gathering power, and will age gracefully for many years to come.
Review:
The 2023 ‘The Mountain Tower’ combines Cabernet Franc (48%) with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is study, well-structured wine with outstanding flavor and aromatic range. Tar, anise seed, dark chocolate shavings, red bell pepper and black rose petals all mark the nose. The palate is lush and soft on the tongue, with good underlying tension. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038-
-Owen Bargreen 96 Points
Chavy-Chouet Meursault Premier Cru Les Genevrieres is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Fruity flavors and typical nutty nuances. The Genevrières parcels are located in the heart of Meursault's southern premiers crus. "Genevrieres" takes its name from the presence, years ago, of the juniper bushes which covered its slope, and it is sometimes said that the tang of this aromatic berry can be detected in the wine.
The Genevrières parcels are located in the heart of Meursault's southern premiers crus. "Genevrieres" takes its name from the presence, years ago, of the juniper bushes which covered its slope, and it is sometimes said that the tang of this aromatic berry can be detected in the wine.
Fruity flavors and typical nutty nuances.
Clear and deep ruby in color, lightening at the rim, with light staining in the glassand moderately thick tears. Medium intensity on the nose with rich red plum, blackberry jam, cocoa powder, and savory tea leaf. A vein of earthy minerality brings complexity to juicy fruit and autumn spice. Oak lends warm vanilla, caramel, and allspice. Dry and full-bodied with intense, youthful red fruit on the palate. Bing cherry and blackberry notes are layered with leather, espresso, and nutmeg, and the long finish is accented with well-integrated tannin and an element of acidity that keeps the wine from being heavy.
The bold fruit and spice character of this 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon would pair perfectly with balsamic braised beef with creamy parmesan polenta, or an earthy, complex dish such as eggplant moussaka.
Review:
Here is a big, powerful Cabernet that pushes the envelope. The 2022 vintage was another drought year, and Paso Robles experienced late season heat waves. Made from 100% Cabernet that was aged for 21 months in French oak, 50% of it new, it clocks in at 15.5 % alcohol. However, when tasted blind, it offers an aroma of ultra-ripe black berries, chocolate, and spices that by the final swirl is absolutely gorgeous. Full-bodied with very juicy black fruit flavors and spice backed up by toasty oak, it all holds together seamlessly thanks to integrated tannins. The finish ends on a light toasty oak note. The real challenge is to pair it with a comparably robust main course.
-Wine Review Online 93 Points