The Royal
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb chops, grilled ribeye steak, rosemary-infused venison
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted as a tribute to the exceptional terroir of Washington State's Royal Slope AVA, 'The Royal' by JM Cellars is a showcase of power and elegance. Sourced primarily from the acclaimed Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this wine benefits from the region's unique topography, where north-facing slopes and fractured silica-rich soils allow grapes to ripen slowly while retaining vibrant acidity. The wine is typically aged in French oak barrels to integrate its robust structure, resulting in a profile rich with dark bramble fruits, savory cracked black pepper, and subtle smoky undertones. It stands as a testament to the Bigelow family's dedication to capturing the distinct, rugged beauty of Washington's premier vineyard sites.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a benchmark family-owned artisanal winery centered at Bramble Bump, a wooded sanctuary in Woodinville, Washington. Initially mentored by prominent Washington vintners Mike Januik and Charlie Hoppes, the Bigelows evolved from basement garagistes into leading producers of small-lot, site-expressive Pacific Northwest wines. While production operations are based in Woodinville and Maltby, estate fruit originates from Margaret's Vineyard—a certified sustainable and Salmon-Safe site perched within Walla Walla's acclaimed SeVein development. Complementing their estate plantings, JM Cellars selectively sources from venerated Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, and Red Mountain vineyards, including Boushey, Stillwater Creek, and Quintessence. Winemaking under John and his son Tommy emphasizes precision and texture, utilizing small-batch fermentations in stainless steel, concrete eggs, and French oak barrels. Benchmark cuvées include their signature Tre Fanciulli red blend, Margaret's Vineyard Bordeaux varietals, and vineyard-designated Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, consistently distinguished by vibrant fruit purity and structured finesse.
🍇 Grapes
Syrah