April 2019 Jeb Dunnuck

reviews by Jeb Dunnuck

“The style at Sleight of Hand, under the guidance of Trey Busch, Jerry Solomon, and Keith Johnson, has changed dramatically over the past 4-5 years and the wines show more finesse, elegance, and purity today, without sacrificing on fruit or texture. These are brilliant wines, and I certainly include this estate in the top handful of estates in Washington today.”

2015 Sleight of Hand Syrah “The Flip Side”

rating 97

“There’s single puncheon of the 2015 Syrah The Flip Side and this magical Syrah comes all from the Lewis vineyard in the Yakima Valley, was completely destemmed, and spent 34 months in new oak. Released only in magnum, its deep purple color is followed by a monster bouquet of pure crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, toasty oak, and smoked meats. With an almost Côte Rôtie-like elegance (I wrote La Turque-like in my notes), it’s medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, has building structure, and a great, great finish. It’s another world-class wine from this estate which has quickly risen into the top handful of estates in the State.”

2016 Sleight of Hand “The Archimage”

rating 95

“A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 The Archimage Reserve has a bright, floral character as well as beautiful blue fruits, graphite, and lead pencil nuances, background oak, medium to full body, nicely integrated acidity, and fine tannins. It has all the right components but needs 2-4 years of bottle age to show at its best.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Cabernet Franc “The Crooked Arm”

rating 97

“There’s a single barrel of the 2016 Cabernet Franc The Crooked Arm and it’s a total blockbuster and up with the top wines in the vintage. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc from Red Mountain that spent 20 months in a new French oak barrel, it has riveting complexity in its cassis, forest floor, scorched earth, graphite, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. Deep, medium to full-bodied and with classic Red Mountain structure and power, it’s nevertheless seamless and silky. It’s a brilliant wine and hats off to the team at Sleight of Hand for this awesome wine.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Syrah “Funkadelic”

rating 96

“I loved the 2016 Syrah Funkadelic and it saw one-third stems and 20 months in neutral barrels. Cooler, perfumed notes of blueberries, lavender, ground pepper, and barbecue smoke give way to a medium to full-bodied, rounded, seamless wine that has plenty of sweet fruit and texture. This is classic Rocks Syrah that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years or bottle age and keep for a decade.”

2016 Sleight of Hand “The Illusionist”

rating 95+

“Aged 20 months in 60% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Illusionist has a Bordeaux like weight and richness as well as impressive notes of crème de cassis, toasted spice, graphite, and lead pencil. It’s not massive yet is medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe yet present tannins, all of which give it a focused, brilliantly balanced style on the palate. Give bottle another 2-3 years and I suspect it will evolve gracefully for two decades.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Syrah “Levitation”

rating 94

“The 2016 Syrah Levitation comes from a mix of Lewis and Les Collins fruit and was mostly destemmed. It’s a dark, smoky Syrah that has plenty of savory black (and some blue) fruits, notes of bouquet garni, spice, and liquid violets, medium to full body, some background meatiness, and a great finish. It’s a quintessential Columbia Valley Syrah to enjoy over the coming decade.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Syrah “The Psychedelic”

rating 94

“Coming all from the Stoney Vine estate vineyard, the 2016 Syrah Psychedelic had 50% stems and brought up in 25% new French oak. Rocking notes of smoked herbs, cigar tobacco, ground pepper, and meaty blackberry fruit give way to a medium to full-bodied Syrah that has the purity and elegance that’s fast becoming the hallmark of this estate.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Grenache “The Sorceress”

rating 93

“The 2016 Grenache The Sorceress is another elegant wine (the style here has shifted dramatically from the fruit bombs of the past) and offers complex black raspberry fruit intermixed with notes of violets, white pepper, and herbed de Provence. Medium-bodied, elegant and silky on the palate, it’s a finesse-oriented Grenache that has terrific depth of fruit. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”

2016 Sleight of Hand Syrah “Spiders From Mars”

rating 94

“Coming from the new estate vineyard on the north fork of the Walla Walla River, the 2016 Syrah Spiders From Mars was only 15% destemmed and saw 20 months in neutral oak. Hitting just 12.5% alcohol, it has a beautiful bouquet of dark fruits, smoked earth, black pepper, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant, with terrific purity, it shines for its complexity, balance, purity, and length.”

2017 Sleight of Hand “The Conjurer”

rating 92

“The 2017 The Conjurer Red Blend checks in as 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot that spent a quick 12 months in 25% new French oak. Functioning as the second wine of the estate and comprised of the declassified fruit from the top cuvees, it’s nevertheless a beautiful wine that has terrific cassis fruits, notes of acacia flowers, tobacco, and earth, medium to full body, and fine, silky tannins. It’s already drinking nicely, but it’s going to evolve nicely for 8-10 years.”

2017 Sleight of Hand “The Enchantress”

rating 91

“Made from the Wente clone and brought up in neutral oak, the 2017 Chardonnay The Enchantress is fresh and vibrant, yet has plenty of richness and depth. White flowers, crushed citrus, and some brioche notes give way to a medium-bodied effort that has loads to love.”

 
 

April 2019 JamesSuckling.com

reviews by james suckling

2015 Sleight of Hand “The Illusionist” Cabernet Sauvignon

rating 93

“A stylishly presented nose with fine, spiced-chocolate notes, across a rich array of ripe red-to-dark berries. The palate has impressively fine tannins that carry long and even, around a core of fresh and vibrant purple berries. Plenty of appeal here. Drink or hold.

2016 Sleight of Hand “The Archimage” Columbia Valley

rating 93

“Impressively delivered oak aromas with earthy notes and a wealth of blueberries and blue plums that continue to the palate. This has a sleek and easygoing feel with a very smooth and composed build on the palate. Long finish. Drink or hold.

2016 Sleight of Hand “The Psychedelic” Walla Walla Valley Syrah

rating 93

“Very attractive, complex Syrah spice and fragrance with meaty nuances and a core of red plums and blackberries. The palate has a smooth, silky and layered feel with a neat build of ripe fruit that is nicely webbed in fine, supportive tannin. Drink or hold.

 
 

April 2018 Jeb Dunnuck

REVIEWS BY jEB DUNNUCK

"Trey Busch and team continue to show their wine making talent with these latest releases, and I was impressed with the entire lineup. Don't let the whimsical names fool you, these are top-notch wines. In addition, there's some killer value here as well."

2016 Sleight of Hand "The Magician" Riesling

Rating  91

The 2016 Riesling Magician is a beauty. Lychee, green citrus, spice, and a hint of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, balanced, refreshing, clean, off-dry white that's seriously impressive.

 

2016 Sleight of Hand "The Spellbinder"

Rating  91

The 2016 Spellbinder is a value-priced blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. Deep ruby/purple-colored with lots of black and blue fruits, earth, and gravelly minerality, it has terrific depth of fruit, no hard edges, and solid overall freshness and purity.

 

2016 Sleight of Hand "The Enchantress" Chardonnay

Rating  88

The 2016 Chardonnay Enchantress comes from the Frenchman Hills Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and was aged 11 months in neutral barrels and concrete tanks. Clean apple, citrus blossom, and hints of mint all give way to a medium-bodied, nicely balanced, enjoyable white that's going to continue drinking nicely for 2-3 years.


2016 Sleight of Hand "The Conjurer"

Rating  92

The 2016 Conjurer Red Blend is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot. It has beautiful polish and elegance as well as lovely black and blue fruits, medium to full body, integrated acidity, and a clean, pure, seamless style. It's a smoking value that will keep for 7-8 years.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Archimage"

Rating  94

The 2015 Archimage checks in as a blend of 57% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot that spent 20 months in 40% new French oak. This deep ruby/purple-colored effort offers a rocking bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco leaf, cured meats, and assorted leafy herbs. It's rich, full-bodied, beautifully layered and textured, and expands on the palate, with sweet tannin. It's a terrific  Bordeaux blend from this team.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Illusionist"

Rating  94

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Illusionist (there's 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) spent 20 months in 65% new French oak. It offers a more classic Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco, damp earth and chocolate. As with the Archimage, it's full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, with sweet tannin, and is going to drink nicely for a decade or more.

 

2016 Sleight of Hand "Levitation" Syrah

Rating  92-94

Always a good value, the 2016 Syrah Levitation comes from a handful of vineyards in the Columbia Valley (Lewis, Les Collines, and Ziggy Stardust) and will see 16 months in 30% new French oak. Vibrant purple-colored with classic notes of black raspberries, cassis, toasty oak, and lead pencil, it's medium to full-bodied, has rocking purity of fruit, fine tannin, and notable purity and freshness.

 

2016 Sleight of Hand "Psychedelic" Syrah

Rating  93-95+

Coming all from the Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and aging in 25% new French oak, the 2016 Syrah Psychedelic is ruby/purple-colored and loaded with notions of currants, tapenade, lavender, and tobacco. It's full-bodied, deep, beautifully concentrated, and layered, with an expansive, sexy style that's hard to resist. It will keep for a decade.

 

2016 Sleight of Hand "Funkadelic" Syrah

Rating  95-97

The 2016 Syrah Funkadelic all comes from the Funk Vineyard in Walla Walla and will see 20 months in neutral barrels. Deeper colored than the Psychedelic Syrah, it gives up loads of blackcurrants, tobacco, scorched earth, and chocolate. Deep, rich, multidimensional, and incredibly pure, it's a sensational Syrah that's probably the best I've tasted from this estate.

 
 

April 2017 Wine Advocate

REVIEWS BY jEB DUNNUCK

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Archimage"

Rating  (92 - 94)

A cellar selection, the 2015 The Archimage is a Cabernet Franc dominated cuvee which incorporates 43% Merlot. Still aging in 30% new French oak, it offers a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, even structured style to go with classic dark berry fruits, peppery spice, damp earth and hints of chocolate. It shows more classic floral Cabernet Franc notes with time in the glass, and is a beautiful wine that has both purity and richness.

 

2014 Sleight of Hand "The Illusionist"

Rating 93+

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the 2014 The Illusionist is a gorgeously pure, elegant beauty that offers terrific notes of cassis, leafy herbs, earth and lead pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific fruit intensity, polished tannin and a great finish, give bottles a year in the cellar and enjoy over the following 7-8 years. It's slightly more streamlined than I remember from barrel, but I like its length, and if it fills out with bottle age, it should get closer to that barrel score.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Illusionist"

Rating  (92 - 94)

Another beauty is the 2015 The Illusionist. Made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, it has classic Cabernet notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf and underbrush, with medium to full-bodied richness, sweet fruit and ripe tannin. It drops off a touch on the finish, but it's still impressive.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "Crooked Arm" Cabernet Franc

Rating  (94 - 96)

A smoking barrel sample, the 2015 Cabernet Franc (the official name is still TBD) checks in as 100% Cabernet Franc all from the Blue Mountain Vineyard in the northern part of Walla Walla, that’s still aging in 50% new French oak. Scheduled to be bottled in June, it's vibrant purple/ruby color is followed by classic notes of crème de cassis, high class oak and spice. Full-bodied, pure, layered and gorgeously balanced, with a blockbuster finish, it's a seriously good 2015 readers shouldn't miss. Unfortunately, there’s just 50 cases made.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "Levitation" Syrah

Rating  94

Just bottled, the 100% Syrah 2015 Syrah Levitation is a gorgeous, voluptuous and hedonistic beauty that's overflowing with notes of blackberry jam, cassis, licorice and pepper. Deep, rich and unctuous, it has full-bodied richness, no hard edges and a layered, low acid, decadent texture. It's a seriously sexy Syrah to drink over the coming 6-8 years. 775 cases.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "Flip Side" Syrah

Rating (93 - 95)

Tasted out of barrel, there's just 55 cases of the 2015 Syrah Flip Side. Made from 100% Syrah from the Lewis Vineyard, aged in barrel, it offers fabulous crème de cassis, vanilla bean, creamy licorice, toasted bread and cured meats. Deep, rich and layered, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, a boat load of texture and a great finish. It's going to be a beautiful Syrah!

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Enchantress" Chardonnay

Rating  89

Made from 100% Chardonnay, the 2015 Chardonnay The Enchantress is fresh and steel, with vibrant notes of citrus blossom, sappy herbs and white flowers. Barrel fermented and aged 11 months in neutral French oak, drink this racy effort anytime over the coming 3-4 years.

 

2014 Sleight of Hand "The Archimage"

Rating  91

The 2014 The Archimage checks in as a blend of close to an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It has a complex, nuanced bouquet of ripe black fruits, charcoal, smoke tobacco and licorice. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, supple, pure and polished red that's impeccably balanced and shines for its drinkability. It drops away on the finish more than expected, but is still a beautiful wine.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Psychedelic" Syrah

Rating  95

Brought up in 30% new French oak and made from 100% Stoney Vine Syrah, the 2015 Syrah The Psychedelic offers a fabulous bouquet of black olive, lavender, damp earth, pepper and black (and some blue) fruits that continues to change and evolve with time in the glass. Rich, unctuous and low acid, it has beautiful richness, a rounded, sexy texture and no hard edges. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Conjurer"

Rating  (90 - 92)

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and a splash of Petit Verdot, the 2015 The Conjurer should end up being a smokin’ value. It offers complex notes of tobacco leaf, black currants, spice and earth in a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, balanced style. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate.

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Spellbinder"

Rating  (90 - 92)

More herbal and earthy, with lots of black fruits and dark chocolate, the 2015 The Spell Binder is plump, medium to full-bodied, and forward on the palate, with impressive purity and length. Made from 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, it's another terrific wine from this estate, as well as a great value.

 
 

2017 Wine Spectator

REVIEWS BY TIM FISH

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Enchantress" Chardonnay

Rating 91

Focused and expressive, with floral apple and pear aromas and delicately complex flavors accented by notes of spicy cinnamon, clove and quince. Drink now through 2019. 500 cases made. –TF

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Magician" Riesling

Rating  88

Sleek and vibrant, with lemon zest, stony mineral and nectarine flavors. Drink now. 600 cases made. –TF

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Conjurer"

Rating 91

Sleek and expressive, with a structured core wrapped in floral black cherry, orange zest and spice notes that sail toward a long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2023. 1,500 cases made. –TF

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Spellbinder"

Rating 89

Lithe and vibrant, with floral cherry and sassafras aromas and easygoing raspberry and spice flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2021. 2,500 cases made. –TF

 

2014 Sleight of Hand "The Illusionist"

Rating 93

Plush and generous, with expressive black cherry and mocha-espresso aromas and rich, layered blackberry and savory licorice flavors that linger toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2023. 1,100 cases made. –TF

 

2014 Sleight of Hand "The Sorceress" Grenache

Rating 92

Precise but expressive, with floral raspberry and smoky cinnamon aromas and flavors that are supple and snappy, offering pepper and plum accents. Drink now through 2021. 225 cases made. –TF

 

2014 Sleight of Hand "Levitation" Syrah

Rating  91

Dark and powerfully built, with floral boysenberry and smoked pepper aromas leading to layered flavors of black raspberry and espresso. Finishes with fine tannins. Drink now through 2022. 600 cases made. –TF

 

2015 Sleight of Hand "The Psychedelic" Syrah

Rating  91

Plump, ripe and supple, with a structured core and exuberant smoky blackberry, tapenade and anise flavors that linger on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 350 cases made. –TF

 

 

June 2016 Wine Advocate

REVIEWS BY JEB DUNNUCK

2014 “The Conjurer" Red Blend

Rating 89

Giving up lots of leafy herbs, graphite, licorice and dark fruits, the 2014 The Conjurer is a charming, supple, straightforward blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 5-6 years.

 

2014 Sleight Of Hand Syrah Les Collines Block 50 

Rating 95-97

Scheduled to be bottled in November, after two years in barrel, the flat out sensational 2014 Syrah Les Collines Block 50 (Name TBD) was fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged all in older French oak barrels. Deep, rich and concentrated, with black, black fruits, pepper, dried violets and gunpowder aromas and flavors, it has awesome mid-palate depth, building tannin and awesome purity. I don’t think there’s much of this to go around, but it’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.

 

2014 "The Archimage" Red Blend

Rating 93-95

Tasted out of barrel and a mix of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot, the 2014 The Archimage has a gorgeous floral character as well as lots of red and black berry fruits, spice and underbrush characteristics. Full-bodied, layered, beautifully concentrated, yet always fresh and lively, it should be the finest vintage of the cuvee to date.

 

2014 "The Enchantress" Chardonnay 

Rating 89

The only white presented, the 2014 Chardonnay The Enchantress comes all from the Wente Clone and vines planted in 1978. It sees partial malolactic fermentation and just a touch of batonnage. Elegant, fresh and lively, with bright acidity giving lift to notions of apple and green citrus aromas and flavors, it picks up a touch of brioche and oak with time in the glass, is nicely balanced and has a great finish. Drink it over the coming 2-3 years.

 

2013 Lewis Vineyard Syrah 

Extended barrel age RatinG 94-97

Another insanely good barrel sample is the 2013 Syrah Lewis Vineyard Extended, which will see a longer elevage in thicker staved barrels. Reminding me of Guigal’s la Turque Cote Rotie with its meaty, vanilla bean, crème de cassis and graphite bouquet, it has incredible purity, full-bodied richness and fabulous tannin quality. While they like to include some whole cluster with their Syrahs, they opted to completely de-stem this cuvee, as they feel that this site can impart green notes. Either way, this is a blockbuster that will be one of the top Syrahs in the vintage.

 

2015 "The Magician's Assistant" Cabernet Franc Rosé

Rating 89

Made all from Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Franc Rose The Magician's Assistant is clean, crisp and refreshing, with lots of cherry

blossom and herbes de Provence-like aromas and flavors. 

 

2014 "Levitation" Syrah

Rating 94

Already bottled and 100% Syrah that saw 40% whole clusters, the 2014 Syrah Levitation is a ripe, sexy, full-bodied beauty that’s loaded with black and blue fruits, pepper, licorice and savory herb aromas and flavors. Despite the masses of fruit, it has solid underlying structure and will cruise for a decade or more.

 

2014 "The Illusionist" Cabernet

Rating 93-96

The first vintage to include Merlot, the 2014 The Illusionist checks in as a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. The idea with the Merlot was to soften the profile slightly, and the Merlot was the best two barrels in the winery. It is a seamless, full-bodied, incredible looking barrel sample that has pure, layered notes of cassis, graphite, blue fruits and toasted spice notes that continue to change with time in the glass. Give it a few years of bottle age and enjoy it through 2034.

 

2013 "The Illusionist" Cabernet

Rating 92

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 61% new French oak, the 2013 The illusionist has a beautiful perfume of black cherries, currants, lead pencil and leafy herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, yet elegant and lively style on the palate. This is a high quality 2013 that has ripe tannin, good mid-palate depth and will drink nicely for a decade or more.

 

 

2014 "The Psychedelic" Syrah  

Rating 94

Another full-throttle, downright sexy wine is the 2014 Syrah The Psychedelic. Made from 100% Syrah that was fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged in a scant 10% new French oak (and never racked), it has loads of ripe dark fruits, lavender, peppered meat and olive to go with rock-solid concentration, sweet tannin and a killer finish. It’s already hard to resist and I see no need to delay gratification.

 

2014 "The Sorceress" Grenache 

Rating 90

The 100% Grenache 2014 Grenache The Sorceress is an elegant, savory effort that has classic Grenache notes of kirsch, dried spices,

herbes de Provence and licorice to go with a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated feel on the palate. There’s a touch of dry tannin, but it’s still outstanding and will drink well for 4-6 years.

 

2014  "The Spellbinder" Red Blend

Rating 91

A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2014 The Spellbinder has lots of leafy herbs, olive, earth and black currant characteristics in a plump, medium to full-bodied, charming, even sexy style. It should drink nicely for 5-6 years, probably longer.

 

2013 "The Archimage" Red Blend

Rating 91

The 2013 The Archimage (56% Cabernet Franc, 38% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc) shows a darker, smoky edge, with more black olive, ripe black fruits and graphite emerging with time in the glass. Like a lot of 2013s, it lacks a huge back-end level of concentration, yet has medium to full-bodied richness, excellent purity and ripe tannin, all suggesting it will drink well for a decade or more.

 
 

 

March 2016 Wine Enthusiast

REVIEWS BY SEAN SULLIVAN

2013 "Psychedelic Syrah" Stoney Vine Vineyard

Rating 95

The winery’s first release off its estate vineyard in The Rocks offers expressive, captivating aromas of peat, dried flowers, fire pit, herbs, grilled asparagus, funk and green olive. The flavors are sweet, sumptuous and rich, showing depth and detail. It’s a knockout.

 

2013 "Levitation" Syrah

Rating 93

Reserved aromas of cherry, chocolate, thistle, moist earth and dark berry lead to red and black fruit flavors that are sumptuous, rich and layered. It brings immediate appeal but also offers plenty of cellaring potential—a complete delight that appeals on multiple levels.

 

2013 "The Sorceress" Grenache

Rating 93

A mixture of Stoney Vine (70%), Upland (20%) and Les Collines vineyard fruit, this wine displays reserved aromas of crushed violets, dried orange peel, brown stems, gravel, smoke and peat. Then sweet raspberry and savory flavors float like a magic carpet, showing exceptional length. It’s an elegant, compelling expression of the variety.