Lauren Ashton Cellars was founded in 2009 by Kit Singh. A Dentist by profession, Kit’s passion for wine was fueled by trips to Napa, Sonoma and Europe’s best known wine regions. Kit’s enology background includes classes at UC Davis and Seattle Community College along with an internship at Delille Cellars.
The inspiration for the name of the winery was Kit’s two children, Ashley Lauren and Ashton Troy. The packaging for the wines is impressive. The black and white pictures on the labels are from buildings in Estonia where Singh’s partner, Riinu Rammal, is from.
I was fortunate enough to try a few of the upcoming releases.
2018 Lauren Ashton Cuvee Meline – Straw colored. 13.1% ABV. 55% Semillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc from Cave B and Mercer Estates Vineyards. Opulent nose of grapefruit, flowers and freshly cut grass. Rich and plush yet very dry. Peaches, green apple and spice on the palate. The finish is long and tangy. Like many of the Lauren Ashton wines this will pair so well with food. Think fish or salad. Drink over the next 1-3 years. $28 at the winery and retail. My rating: 90 points.
2014 Lauren Ashton Syrah – Opaque purple in color. 14.8% ABV. 100% Syrah from Ambassador and Dineen Vineyards. Really big nose of black fruits, pepper, coffee and dark chocolate. Full bodied with ample acidity. Big, concentrated and powerful. Blackberry, black cherry and charred meats on the palate. The finish is long with silky tannins. Well made Syrah that could use some time in the cellar. Best over the next 3-5 years. $35 at the winery and retail. My rating: 92 points.
The Woodinville tasting room is open Thursday thru Sunday from 1pm to 5pm and is a worthwhile stop on your next winery excursion.
These reviews were based on a samples provided by the winery.