BAER WINERY RECENT SCORES

Baer Winery Arctos Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

93 points $43

The 2015 Arctos Cabernet Sauvignon (which includes 6% Petit Verdot) opens in the glass with notions of crème de cassis, pencil lead and loamy soil. On the palate, it's rich, full-bodied and layered, with an ample core of ripe fruit, good concentration, fine tannins and a youthfully chewy finish. It's hard to choose between this and the Callisto as the highlights of Baer's 2015 portfolio. William Kelley for Wine Advocate

Baer Winery Callisto 2015

93 points $39

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 15% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, the 2015 Callisto exhibits spicy aromas of fragrant dark fruits, grilled meat and tapenade that successfully marry qualities derived from all three of its leading constituents. On the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and layered, with an ample core of ripe fruit and a long, savory finish. William Kelley for Wine Advocate

Baer Winery Ursa 2015

91 points $39

The 2015 Ursa from Baer Winery reveals pretty aromas of red and black fruit, loamy soil and cedary new oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, youthfully chewy but open-knit, with a good core of fruit and a flavorful finish. Characterful if somewhat rustic, it's a blend of 38% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. William Kelley for Wine Advocate

Baer Winery Arctos Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

94 points $43

Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and gunpowder follow through to a full body. Integrated tannins and a fine, silky finish. This is very fine textured indeed. Give it two or three years of bottle age to settle in. Try in 2021. James Suckling

Baer Winery Ursa Columbia Valley 2015

92 points $39

Some very ripe aromas and flavors here in the blueberry and dark plum zone. Fine tannins that take a nicely crafted shape. Good balance here A blend of 38% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. Drink or hold. James Suckling

Baer Winery Shard Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2016

90 points $25

(unoaked Chardonnay from Stillwater Creek Vineyard): Pale straw-yellow. Fresh peach and apricot on the nose, plus a touch of candied apple and a spice note that does not come from wood. A juicy, inviting midweight with noteworthy energy to its flavors of orchard fruits and white peach. Offers a sexy hint of sweetness on entry, then turns firmer toward the back, finishing with a brisk green apple note. Strong fruit here. Stephen Tanzer for VINOUS

Baer Winery Star Columbia Valley Merlot 2014

90 points $35

(14.6% alcohol; from Stillwater Creek Vineyard): Bright medium red. Cherry and redcurrant aromas are lifted by spicy oak. Sweeter and plusher than the 2014 Ursa bottling, but also offers good energy, definition and lift to the flavors of black cherry, currant, fresh herbs, clove and tobacco leaf. Finishes firm and persistent. Very nicely balanced, claret-like Merlot. Stephen Tanzer for VINOUS

Baer Winery Callisto Columbia Valley 2014

91 points $39

Bright medium ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, licorice, mocha and flowers lifted by a hint of black pepper and complicated by an inky suggestion of Petit Verdot. Energetic flavors of blackberry, dark raspberry, cherry, spices and flowers are complicated by a saline quality and nicely framed by ripe, harmonious acidity. This penetrating blend conveys a lovely restrained sweetness. The tannins spread out to saturate the palate on the rising finish. Stephen Tanzer for VINOUS

Baer Winery Arctos Columbia Valley 2013

90 points $43

Bright medium ruby. Superripe aromas of black raspberry and caramel, with musky hints of tobacco leaf and black pepper. Densely packed, tactile and broad, offering concentrated but slightly porty flavors of black raspberry and chocolate mint. The silkiest of these 2013 Baer reds in the middle palate. Finishes with serious but sweet tannins and a lingering note of Belgian chocolate. Stephen Tanzer for VINOUS

Baer Winery Shard Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2015

91 points $25

Head winemaker Erica Orr has developed a very strong following for her 'Shard' Chardonnay. This stainless Chardonnay begins with aromas of poached pear, brioche, and star jasmine. There are flavors of poached pear, Gala apple and suggestions of Meyer lemon rind that sit alongside the bright minerality. This shows nice balance considering the heat of the vintage. (Best 2016-2021) - April, 2016 (OB) - International Wine Report

Baer Winery Callisto Columbia Valley 2012

92 points | $39 | 250 cases made | Red Wine from Washington state

Sleek and supple, this shapely wine features layers of red berry, cinnamon, currant and spice that glide into a long and surprisingly delicate finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022. — Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator

Baer Winery Star Columbia Valley 2012

# 26 The Enthusiast 100

94 points | $32 | 605 cases made | Red Wine from Washington state

Made with 75% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Franc, this wine commands attention with aromas of dried and fresh herbs, black fruit, toast and flowers. The dark fruit flavors are rich, layered and tightly coiled, captivating attention with spot-on balance. Sean Sullivan for Wine Enthusiast

Baer Winery Arctos Columbia Valley 2012

# 94 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2015 Wine Enthusiast

93 points | $43 | 605 cases made | Red Wine from Washington state

Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) takes the lead on this wine followed by Merlot (15%) and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aromas of high-toned dried herbs, flowers, blackcurrant, coffee and barrel spices lead to densely packed black fruit flavors that need time to strut their stuff. Drink after 2021. Sean Sullivan for Wine Enthusiast

2015 Baer 'Shard' Chardonnay- Head winemaker Erica Orr has developed a very strong following for her 'Shard' Chardonnay.  This stainless Chardonnay begins with aromas of poached pear, brioche, and star jasmine. There are flavors of poached pear, Gala apple and suggestions of Meyer lemon rind that sit alongside the bright minerality. This shows nice balance considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2016-2021. 91 points Owen Bargreen for Washington Wine Report

 

# 28 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 list for 2015

Baer Winery Ursa Columbia Valley 2012

94 points | $39 | Red Wine from Washington state

The core glows with ripe blackberry, dark plum, mint and floral flavors, gliding over the lightly prickly tannins into a long and compelling finish. Feels almost weightless but has tremendous depth. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2020. — Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator

#6 TOP 100 WINES WINE SPECTATOR 2011

Baer Winery Ursa Columbia Valley 2008
95 points

Winemaker Lance Baer founded Baer Winery in 2000, producing his wines in Woodinville, Wash., using grapes from Columbia Valley vineyards. After his death in 2007, his sister Lisa and his father, Les, took the reins and hired consulting winemaker Erica Orr. Baer’s signature wine, Ursa, Latin for “bear,” has always been impressive for its suppleness and pure flavors. The 2008, a blend that focuses on Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is the winery’s best wine yet. — Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator

Baer Winery Star Columbia Valley 2011
92 points

This lithe red is sleek, seductive and medium-weight, brimming with exotic spice nuances to its flavors of black cherry and plum, which sidle into the long and expressive finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2015 through 2019. 502 cases made. — Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator

Baer Winery Ursa Columbia Valley 2009
93 points

Good deep, bright ruby-red.  Explosive aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoke and tobacco. Sweet, seamless and shapely, with thoroughly ripe, complex flavors of plum, currant, leather and mocha.  In a powerful style but not overly sweet. Finishes with lively blueberry and boysenberry fruit and building tannins. This lovely blend avoids the liqueur like quality shown by many 2009 reds. —Stephen Tanzer for IWC

Baer Winery Shard Chardonnay Columbia Valley
89 points

Subdued aromas of peach, nut meats and mint, plus a hint of crab apple.  Supple rich and broad, with good chewy extract to the stone fruit and spice flavors.  Finishes saline, tactile and persistent.  I certainly don't miss the oak. — Stephen Tanzer for IWC