2022 Idilico Yakima Valley Tempranillo

The nose is direct and moderately intense, with black cherry, plum, and dried fig supported by notes of tobacco leaf, leather, spices, and a subtle earthiness. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and savory flavors like tobacco flower, dried spices, and a dark cherry and leather combination that keeps the fruit in check.

Idilico is a small Washington-based winery focused on Iberian grape varieties, particularly Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Albariño. Founded by Jarrod Boyle, Idilico reflects a deliberate shift away from Bordeaux and Rhône models that have long dominated Washington wine. Boyle sources fruit primarily from vineyards in the Yakima Valley and surrounding Columbia Valley, working with growers who farm in warm, well-exposed sites suited to later-ripening Mediterranean varieties. The winemaking approach is restrained and practical: moderate extraction, controlled oak use, and an emphasis on balance rather than power. The goal is to show that Washington’s climate can support Tempranillo with clarity and structure, rather than mimic Spanish benchmarks.