Boudreaux Cellars, located just outside Leavenworth, Washington, was founded by owner/winemaker Rob Newsom in 2001. A Louisiana native, Newsom has lived on the property that is home to both his log home and Boudreaux Cellars since 1981. He began making wine in his garage in 1998 and started building the winery facilities in 2001. Boudreaux currently produces about 2,000 cases per year. With his Louisiana Cajun accent and dry sense of humor, Rob Newsom truly is one of the great personalities in the Washington wine industry.

Recently, we had the opportunity to taste three of Boudreaux Cellars’ current releases in a blind samples tasting. Boudreaux Cellars is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignons that are excellent. We have given high ratings to the 2004 Cab, 2005 Cab, and 2005 Reserve Cab. In this tasting, we tasted the 2006 Reserve Cab and rated it 4.5 stars (out of 5). It is another impressive effort from Newsom and might just be his best Cab yet. We also tasted his 2006 Merlot, also an excellent wine, and his 2006 Syrah.

Since his site is not ideally suited for grape growing, Newsom sources his grapes from many different vineyards around the state. Most of his bottles are labeled simply Washington State and lists the vineyard sources for that particular wine.

2006 Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington State): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit sourced from Champoux and Loess Vineyards. Deep, dark red. Nose is a bit tight at first. Bouquet really develops the longer it is open. Lots of layers to this wine. Blackberry, black cherry, leather, and spice come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high, drying tannins. Good fruit up front, great lift on the mid-palate, and a long, lingering finish. Well-balanced with good complexity.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $100

2006 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot (Washington State): 100% Merlot. Fruit sourced from Dionysis, Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, and Wallula Vineyards. Deep, red garnet in color. Very aromatic with molasses and allspice on the nose. More molasses, cinnamon, and dark red fruits come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and medium, drying tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $40

2006 Boudreaux Cellars Syrah (Horse Heaven Hills, Washington): 100% Syrah. Fruit sourced from Wallula Vineyard. Deep, dark purple. Very aromatic. Aromas and flavors of vanilla, leather, smoke, and a hint of black pepper. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $50

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