I am posting this week's blog a couple of days early (Wednesday instead of Friday) because of the urgency generated by the extremely limited supply of some of these wines. They are not to be missed.

 

A Stellar Garnacha (Grenache) from Kerloo Cellars

 

On June 11th, Ryan and Renee Crane opened their Kerloo Cellars tasting room in Downtown Walla Walla where Sleight of Hand used to be. There, they poured their two 2009 Syrahs (Les Collines and Walla Walla Valley) which will be officially released - and reviewed - in September. Also, there was a 2009 Garnacha (so called because it has a Spanish resemblance). Only 23 cases were made, of which, at this writing, only 16 remain. It is available only from the winery (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 206 349-0641).

 

2009 Kerloo Cellars Garnacha, Walla Walla Valley, Cockburn Ranch Vineyard ($35)

This is a sumptuous, savory Grenache. It exhibits a deep garnet color and aromas of raspberry, mulberry and orange peel, with ethereal scents of jasmine, dried roses and exotic perfumes. On the palate, there is a finely woven tapestry of red fruits, laced with cocoa, red licorice and loess minerals. On the back, there are sensations of kirsch liqueur, recurring dried orange peel and dried cherries, cinnamon bark and roasted almonds, supported by fine fruit acids on a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

 

Pre-Release Offerings from Tero Estates

 

A couple of days ago, I tasted a couple of upcoming fall releases with Doug Roskelley, co-owner and winemaker for Tero Estates. They are being offered at pre-release prices. Both come from the Windrow Vineyard, one of the oldest in the Walla Walla Valley. They are exceptional wines and I strongly recommend buying them. To order, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 541 203-0020.

 

2008 Tero Estates Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard (Pre-release - $39)

Deep ruby-garnet colored, this wine offers sultry aromas of roasted raspberries and cherry, anise, cigar box, roast coffee, dried roses and smoldering incense. The flavors are thick and sensuously chewy, underlain with mocha, licorice, French roast and basaltic minerals. The back picks up tones of dried cherries, orange peel, toffee, pain grille and roasted nuts, followed by a rich ripe tannin finish that is laced with spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove). 19/20 points.

 

2008 Tero Estates Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley (Pre-release - $45)

This is a field blend, reflecting the percentages of varietals planted in the vineyard: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. It displays a deep purplish color and terrific aromatics of blackberry, cherry and cassis, with scents of rose petals, violets and rubbed sage. The flavors are gratifyingly thick and generous, intermixed with dark chocolate, licorice and silty minerals. On the back, notes of squeezed blueberry juice, roasted nuts and dried cherries emerge, followed by a lingering spice-dusted chewy tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

 

Flying Trout Holds a Library Wine Sale

 

Ashley Trout is having a sale of older library wines at  tasting room shared with Tero Estates in the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The wines, all at original prices, include wines from the 2006 and 2007 vintages as well as some 2008's for which only a few cases remain. Below are my reviews from previous issues of the Review of Washington Wines. To order them, either email Ashley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 541 203-0020.

 

2008 Flying Trout Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($27) - June 2010 issue

Here, Ashley Trout has turned out a delicious Malbec, with a rich, smoky blackberry nose that emits scents of lavender and burning incense. The flavors are deep and thick, like macerated blueberries and cherries, deepened by chocolate, licorice and scorched earth on the back, and then followed by a gush of ripe cranberry juice, along with an extract of orange peel mixed with spices on the chewy tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

 

2008 Flying Trout Deep River Red, Columbia Valley ($27) - December 2010 issue

Composed of 57% Phinny Hill Malbec and 43% Windrow Cabernet Franc, this wine exhibits a brilliant ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of raspberry, cherry and cassis with scents of violets and oriental incense. The flavors are ripe and sexy, imbued with semi-dried berries, Swiss chocolate, licorice and minerals. The vivid fruits persist on the back, with a squeeze of blueberry juice that lingers on the sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.


2008 Flying Trout The Brook Blend, Horse Heaven Hills ($33) - December 2010 issue

Since the time it was reviewed in June, this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot has evolved further, advancing from 18.5+ points. It shows lovely aromatics of wild berries, perfumes and incense, and savory, exquisitely juiced, complex flavors that show notes of licorice and chocolate, French roast and dried berries. All this is laid upon a lingering fine grained tannin finish. 19/20 points.

 

2006 Flying Trout Deep River Red, Columbia Valley ($27) - November 2009 issue

Composed of 90% Stillwater Creek Sangiovese and 10% Phinny Hill Malbec, this wine exhibits a rich nose of roasted berries and cherries with scents of wildflowers and a hint of caramel. On the palate, the generous fruits are evident, with a touch of leather and earth, and then given a bit of oomph from the Malbec. 18.5/20 points.

 

2007 Flying Trout Cutthroat Red, Columbia Valley ($35) - November 2009 issue

This combination of two-thirds Phinny Hill Syrah and one-third Konnowack Vineyard Malbec is an unusual wine. True blue, it displays a bluish color and blackberry/plum aromas with scents of lavender and oriental incense. The blue fruits are saturated through the middle; with dried fruit confit notes on the back and ends up with a tart blueberry tone on the finish that is marked by black pepper and spices. 18.5+/20 points.

 

2007 Flying Trout Old Vines Malbec, Rattlesnake Hills, Konnowack Vineyard ($39) - November 2009 issue

Here, Ashley Trout has turned out an impressive 100% Malbec from the oldest Malbec vineyard (21 years) in Washington. Deep ruby color. Intense aromas of blackberries, huckleberries and forest carpet, with scents of violets. The dark fruits are saturated and mouthwatering, with tones of powdered cocoa and anise. The back palate turns to a chewy texture with a dark fruit underlay, followed by vivid fruit acids and silky tannins. It possesses remarkable elegance. 19/20 points.

 

2007 Flying Trout Old Vine Malbec, "Barrel Select #250," Rattlesnake Hills, Konnowack Vineyard ($39) - new review

This is the same as the above wine, but from a selected barrel. It is even more sensuous and super saturated, with a beautiful melding of fruit acids and ripe tannins. 19+/20 points.