Figlia, which means 'daughter' in Italian, is a Merlot and Petit Verdot blend that's dedicated to winemaker Chris Figgins' two daughters, and is one of four wines to come from the Figgins estate vineyard in Walla Walla Valley in Washington, US. Now if that name strikes a bell with you, you've most likely heard of Leonetti Cellars - an iconic producer that really put Washington on the map when it not only became the state's first bonded winery, but also the state's first 100-pointer wine according to wine critic Robert Parker. And so in short, yes, the Figgins here is of that same Figgins family that founded Leonetti Cellars.

Let's dive right in!

Gary Figgins, with his son Chris.

Leonetti Cellar Puts Washington On The Map!

Going right to the start of the Figgins family's foray into wines, we have to get to know Gary and Nancy Figgins, whose son is Chris Figgins, and who helms both Leonetti Cellars and the Figgins Estate Vineyard, each with its own distinct philosophies and therefore producing very differently styled wines.

Gary Figgins was raised in an Italian-American household settled in Walla Walla Valley. There at their family farm, his grandparents, Frank and Rose Leonetti, would grow their own garden crops, from onions to spinach, and of course grapes. It was rather common then for the largely Italian immigrant community in the valley to live off their own produce, with many families making table wines for their own enjoyment. They would raise cattle and farm crops, also planting Black Prince or Black Malvoisie grapes which they would crush in the basement and make red wines out of. This proved to be Gary's early contact with wines - even as a kid, his grandparents would water down some of their own homemade wine, which he'd enjoy alongside his Italian dinners. And so wines were always a part of Gary's life.

Planting the first Leonetti vineyard at the family farmstead in 1974.

By his mid-20's, Gary was now working as a machinist at a local factory, and had on the side began seriously researching winemaking in the valley. With his early childhood experiences, he was convinced that Walla Walla was conducive for producing quality wines. And not just any wines, that the valley was capable of producing outstanding red wines. At the time, this was hardly conventional wisdom, with Walla Walla only featuring white wines such as Rieslings. Yet Gary's own research informed him that Walla Walla had in fact shared a similar climate to Napa Valley's prestigious (and now very expensive) Oakville. If the high end Oakville vineyards were famous for Cabernet Sauvignon's, so could the far more underrated Walla Walla valley achieve the same.

To prove his research, Gary would plant his first Cabernet Sauvignon vines at his family's Leonetti homestead, right where his grandfather had done exactly the same. With the grapes produced by his own vines, along with some purchased from other vineyards in the Tri-Cities area, Gary was able to start producing his own wines in the basement - the result by Gary's own admission, were "outstanding".

Leonetti's first big hit!

The first bottles, as is typically the practice, went to friends and family, all of whom loved it, which gave Gary and Nancy the confidence to license and bond their home-based winery in 1977. They called it Leonetti Cellar, named after Gary's grandparents who he had been deeply inspired by. By 1980, they would produce their first big hit, the 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon. A spontaneous call from the Wine & Spirits Buying Guide had requested the Figgins send them a couple of samples for reviewing - and much to Gary's surprise, he had received a phone call from Nancy saying that Leonetti Cellar's red was named the best Cabernet in America! This was massive given that Washington was not at all known for their red wines, and were competing with the likes of behemoths and well-established icons over in Napa Valley.

The coming decades would see the Figgins become a cult producer, responsible for placing Washington on the map, and as with every iconic American winemaker, sporting their very own years-long waiting list. Nevertheless, the Figgins had never set out to go big financially, and thus production grew fairly gradually, with a deep emphasis on producing wines using local Walla Walla fruit. Their aspiration was to showcase the local region to the best of their ability. Merlot's, Riesling's and even historic Italian varieties such as Sangiovese and Aglianico's would follow, as the family acquired parcels all about Walla Walla.

Gary and Nancy Figgins.

From Washington Love Letter To A Distinct Sense Of Place - An Introduction To FIGGINS

By 2001, their children Chris and Amy, were ready to take over the family business. If the goal with Leonetti Cellar was to deliver a love letter from Washington to the world, then Figgins Estate Vineyard's thesis is to showcase a distinct sense of place.

As Chris details, the big freeze of 1996 was a big sticking point for him. As someone being primed to taking over the family's vineyards, seeing the widespread devastation as a result of the frost undoubtedly gave Chris much to worry about. Chris had thus sought to find a way to exert more control over the family's vineyards, which led him in search of higher ground, which would provide natural protection from frost. When a small wheat and pea farm along the Mill Creek hillside came up for sale, Chris thought he had pretty much found El Dorado. He quickly pitched the idea to buy the farm for Leonetti Cellar, and yet much to his surprise, his parents Gary and Nancy said no. However, they did offer support should Chris take up the vineyard for a project of his own - and thus began FIGGINS, Chris' dream single vineyard project.

The Figgins Estate Vineyard.

Now named the Figgins Estate Vineyard, the parcel lies at one of the highest elevations for a commercial vineyard of its size, sitting at 1,500 - 1,750 feet. Here Chris had decided to focus on delivering a Bordeaux style blend, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, as well as the Washington classic Riesling. Through careful varietal selection, trellising and sustainable farming, the vineyards have now operated for over two decades. Chris' efforts to promote the healthiest possible vineyards are incredible - he's not only done the usual abstinence from herbicides and chemicals, but has event introduced microbes through the making of compost teas which are beneficial biomes extracted from earthworm castings (really the fanciest way possible to say 'earthworm poop'). Cover cropping and a comprehensive tillage regimen are of course par for the course with Chris. As a big music lover, Chris has even named each block in the estate after song titles that have been meaningful to his life, from Walkin' Along The Fenceline Merlot (by Wade Bowen) to Mystified Me Cabernet Sauvignon (by Son Volt).

Chris Figgins.

And so with all that ground covered, it's time to get back to ground and try some of Figgins' Figlia!

Once again, this is a Merlot and Petit Verdot blend, coming 100% estate grown in the Figgins Estate Vineyard. It's been aged for 20 months in 26% new French oak and 74% neutral French oak.

Let's go!

Wine Review: 2021 Figgins Figlia, Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark Ruby

Aroma: It opens incredibly plush and rich, filled in with deep wells of raspberry fruit preserves, fruit reduction, and raspberry frosting, topped with vanilla cream. It goes darker toned from there, with more on stewed plums and prunes, also dark cherry jams. It's garnished by a perfumed potpourri of dried rose petals, cusped by some earthiness of tobacco leaves and lacquered wood, with also some chocolate sauce. It's heady and perfumed, really rich and rather confectionary - the depth here is impeccable. Very ripe obviously.

Taste: Still very much plush and opulent here - yet, showing a surprising fortitude in its restraint. It's medium-bodied, very polished and rounded, yet far from overripe. It's got a good amount of richness, filled in with dark cherries and raspberries all cooked down, strawberry jams too. It's leaning darker and sensual, yet again it doesn't very into any sort of cloying or overly confectionary territory. More on tobacco with some bittersweet dark chocolate chunks that brings here a whole other dimension.

Finish: Ooh some gently tart and almost alittle green wild field strawberries makes an appearance on the finish, still really aromatic and fresh, there's even some grittiness of soil and dried tobacco leaves to go with that. More of that cherry frosting and here some red licorice. It's a clean and firm finish with firm tannins that are still alittle bit grippy. A light dryness and acidity to the end.

My Thoughts

What an absolute stunner of a wine! I have to admit I was alittle surprised to find out after tasting it that this was a Merlot / Petit Verdot blend, it seems like Chris has really cracked the code on this one! Whilst I enjoy thoroughly the texture and richness of 100% Merlot's, I must admit that at times they can come off alittle one dimensional and typically sporting a very predictable flavour profile - not this at all! This was felt like such a complete wine, and a very entertaining and immersive one at that - I found myself so engaged and enthralled throughout!

From its aromas through to the finish, it always sports this duo-tone of red and rosy fruits and florals, as well as the more classically Merlot styled darker fruits and chocolate, which as mentioned felt very complete for me. On the nose, it was of course really ripe and quite confectionary, yet when it got to the palate, it showed so much restraint - plush and rich, without getting overbearing or cloying. It felt like it was confident and possessing of so much presence. I also have to point out the little green and lightly tart field strawberries that came through on the finish that I somehow found absolutely delightful, where it was fresh and evocative. 

The Figlia was an absolute delight for me, banging so much value for its price, and on top of that whilst it made for a great standalone wine, I also couldn't help but feel that it would make for a great food and wine pairing considering it was rich yet not overly confectionary, which feels like it's leaving enough room for other flavours to step forward and complement it. Absolutely spectacular!