WeatherEye Vineyards Estate ‘L’Atomique’ White Blend
WHY WE LOVE IT
- WeatherEye Estate L’Atomique is a rare, small-production white blend from the top of Red Mountain in Washington’s Columbia Valley.
- A field selection of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Marsanne grown on the estate, blended to showcase the interplay of these Rhône white varieties.
- Sourced from WeatherEye Vineyard’s high-elevation, wind-swept slopes in the Red Mountain AVA, planted in basalt and dune sands at 290 to 436 meters above sea level.
- A powerful, concentrated white with the structure to age gracefully for a decade.
Varietals: 36% Viognier, 32% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, 7% Clairette, 3% Marsanne
Elaboration: The grapes are fully destemmed and co-fermented on the skins for 14 days, then racked without pressing into French oak (one-third new) for 20 months of aging. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: Classy aromatics of crushed seashells and nectarine sit atop white florals and hints of lychee. The palate is powerful and dense, with serious concentration and a mélange of citrus, melon, and tropical fruits.
REVIEWS
2022 – 92 James Suckling | 91 Wine Advocate
2023 – Owen Bargreen | 94 Jeb Dunnuck
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
WeatherEye Vineyards is a renowned high-altitude wine estate on Red Mountain in Washington, founded in 2004 by Cameron Myhrvold and managed by Ryan Johnson. Known for its innovative growing practices in a challenging environment, the vineyard produces exceptional small-batch wines, particularly Rhône and Spanish varietals, as well as distinctive white wines celebrated for their minerality and acidity. In 2022, it was recognized as the Northwest Winery of the Year, reflecting its commitment to quality and boundary-pushing winemaking.