By Gard Estate Wines
2021 Kvasir, Royal Slope

The Wine
Plums, orange peel, pencil shavings, cardamom, and red licorice. The 2021 Kvasir begins fresh, but with beautiful sweetness on the nose. The wine opens to dark cherry, blackberry jam, menthol, hints of oak spice, and macerated herbs. The mouthfeel here is fleshy and extremely round, with lots of ripe red and black fruit and a spicy aftertaste. The texture is remarkable, with soft tannins and fantastic volume while still retaining tension. Sweet and bright, extremely long, and layered with savory elements, this amazing Mourvedre can be enjoyed now or over the next 15 years.

The Winemaking
Barrel and stainless steel fermented. Aged in new and neutral French oak puncheons for 18 months.

The Vineyard
Gard Vintners wines are 100% estate grown sustainably at Lawrence Vineyards, featuring 14 distinct vineyard sites. With elevations ranging from 870 to 1,675 feet and primarily south-facing slopes, Lawrence Vineyards provide a great framework for grape production. The diversity of each location delivers a high level of complexity to Gard wines. Lawrence Vineyards is certified sustainable.

The Winery
Gard, meaning "farm" in many of the Scandinavian languages, is a tribute to our family's Scandinavian heritage and farming tradition. Founded in 2006, Gard Vintners is a family-owned and operated estate winery in the heart of Washington's Royal Slope AVA, with vineyards on the Royal Slope, wine production in Prosser, tasting rooms in Ellensburg, Walla Walla, and Woodinville, and Gard Public House restaurant in Royal City.

Wine Details
Release Date: November 2024
Winemaker: Matias Kusulas
Blend: 80% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah
Vineyards: Thunderstone, Scarline
Alcohol: 14.60%
MSRP: $65
[Information provided by Gard Estate Wines]

Wine: Gard, Kvasir, Royal Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA 2021
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034
Review Date: 10/17/2024
Reviewed By: Clive Pursehouse
Tasting Notes: Thunderstone Vineyard is a slightly warmer site, at 1100ft, with about 60% of the cluster. This wine really leans into itself. Winemaker Kuslas used extended maceration with a very delicate pressing. Mourvedre struggles to ripen, but 2021 is a sweet spot. Brilliant florals and wild feral tones keep this wine edgy and elegant. Deep fruit tones offer plenty of ripeness, with black and red brambles, wild strawberries and peppercorn. The freshness is brilliant with fresh herbs and spices.

Wine: GARD Mourvedre, Royal Slope ‘Kvasir’ 2021
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034
Reviewed By: Jeremy Young
Tasting Notes: The GARD Mourvedre 2021 ‘Kvasir’ from the Royal Slope is a captivating blend of 80% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah. With 60% whole cluster used during fermentation and an extended 2 months of skin contact, this wine exudes depth and complexity. [...] it showcases a beautiful array of purple fruits, ripe blackberry, black pepper, and intriguing umami tones. On the palate, the wine is silky smooth, with lush tannins that glide effortlessly, leading to a finish accented by dusty herbs. This Mourvedre-Syrah blend is a textural delight, balancing ripe fruit with savory elements and a seamless finish. [...]

Wine: Gard Vintners 2021 Kvasir
Score/Rating: 93+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2030
Review Date: 10/2024
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Kvasir is dark and moody in the glass. Its bouquet features a meaty mix of crushed black fruits, dried flowers, grilled herbs and ashen stone. This is elegant in style, with silken textures, tart wild berry notes that slowly saturate and a polished feel. The 2021 leaves a web of crisp tannins and a black raspberry resonance, finishing long, structured and remarkably fresh.

Wine: 2021 Gard Vintners Kvasir
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 04/03/2025
Reviewed By: Erin Brooks
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Kvasir is an elegant blend of 80% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah, fermented with [...] whole clusters and matured in used French oak [...]. It has layered scents of blueberry, boysenberry, peppered meats and wild thyme. The full-bodied palate offers concentrated yet nuanced flavors. It’s framed by silky tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, spicy finish.