I tasted a good number of wines from the barrels during Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend in Walla Walla from December 2 through 4. Most wineries had 2010’s for sampling and a few had some 2009 and 2008 reds. The 2010 vintage was a protracted one. A cold spring and cool summer led to a late, protracted harvest that took place from late September until mid November. As Chuck Reininger put it, working with the vintage was “like yesteryear,” as it recalled classic vintages such as 1999 and 2001. The grape sugars were lower than in 2008 and 2009, with higher phenols (which produce aromatics). The result is 2010 reds with lower alcohol levels and more aroma and structure. Here are my notes on the wines in order of tasting, with preliminary scores.

2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “The Unnamed” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Purplish ruby colored, with an intriguing nose of wild berries, cherries, plum, sandalwood and garrigue. The texture is thick and chewy, intermixed with minerals, licorice, and dark chocolate and coffee grounds. Turns svelte on the back with ripe tannins. 19+/20 points.

2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “In the Rocks” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Deep ruby colored, with aromas of wild berries, roasted cocoa beans, dried cherries, orange peel and smoldering incense. The dark fruits are thick and mouth filling, loaded with earthy minerals. The roasted berry character continues on the back, picking up tones of leather and dust. 19.5/20 points.

2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “The Contender” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Ruby colored, with a nose redolent of crushed raspberries, cherries, blackberries, lavender, violets and smoldering incense. The palate is strikingly sensuous, replete with roasted berries, licorice, espresso and a touch of leather, all with a chewy texture that is accented by orange peel and dried cherries. 19.5/20 points.

2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “Stonessence” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Semi opaque purplish color, with a seductive, intense nose of wild berries, cherries, cassis, attar of rose, violets and oriental perfumes. Thick and massive, yet refined and balanced, with an almost seamless interweaving of extracted fruits, licorice, mocha, French roast. The back picks up notes of crème brulee and orange peel on a fleshy texture. 20/20 points.

2010 Reininger Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Pepper Bridge Vineyard

Lovely blackberry, raspberry, cherry, spice and pepper nose with hints of violets. The dark fruits are super saturated, redolent of plucked berries, chocolate, earth and minerals, followed by a long, ripe finish that is marked by beautiful fruit acids. 19/20 points.

2010 Reininger Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, Phinny Hill Vineyard

This is a refined, aromatic style of Syrah with aromas of raspberry, cherry, cranberry and orange peel, with whiffs of crushed roses and pepper. The fruits are forward, yet wrapped around a firm core that is accented by notes of licorice and Horse Heaven earth and minerals, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove). 19/20 points.

2010 Buty Redivia of the Stones, Walla Walla Valley

Brilliant ruby colored, this wine shows a sensuous nose of raspberry, pomegranate and cassis, with scents of rose petals, sandalwood and violets. The flavors are deep and refined, almost “old world” style. The saturation continues on the back with notes of dried orange peel, mocha, chocolate and cinnamon bark, and a squeeze of pomegranate juice on a fine-grained oak and tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

2010 Tranche Cellars Tempranillo, Yakima Valley, Black Rock Vineyard

Opaque ruby colored, this offers an intriguing nose of wild berries, cherry, mulberry, bayberry and vanilla (from new oak). The flavors are deep, but not heavyweight, yet with plenty of extracted dark fruits, followed by a long, nutted finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2010 Tranche Cellars “Block 9” Syrah, Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard

Opaque purplish colored, this shows spicy, peppery aromas of blackberry, cassis, garrigue and crushed roses. The sweetish dark fruit flavors are loaded with licorice, chocolate, and roast coffee. The roasted character continues on the back with grilled nuts and berries, followed by sweetish tannins. 19/20 points.

2010 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Forgotten Hills Vineyard

Brilliant ruby colored, this vintage offers a lovely perfumed nose of raspberry, cranberry and cassis, with scents of lavender, jasmine and oriental perfumes. Medium-bodied, it shows a feminine side to Syrah, along with a grainy texture and notes of Swiss chocolate, orange peel and dried berries. 19/20 points.

2010 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Loess Vineyard

Deep, brilliant ruby colored, this wine shows scents of raspberry, blueberry, cassis, violets and crushed roses. The flavors are exquisitely wrought, like a tapestry of red and blue fruits, licorice, cocoa powder, and coffee, spreading out on to a lingering moderate sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2010 Flying Trout “Mary’s Block” Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard

This wine exhibits an inky purple color and a strong, peppery blackberry, black currant and plum nose, with scents of roses and violets. The flavors are deep and penetrating, amassing layers of dark fruit, intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate and espresso. Underneath are added layers of pressed berries, mocha and orange peel on a minerally sweet tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2010 Tero Estate Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley

Dark ruby colored, this wine shows a seductive young nose of wild berries, black cherries and plums, with scents of crushed roses. The flavors are thick and saturated, with underpinning of dark chocolate, minerals and earth. The dark fruits march on through the back, with added infusions of squeezed berries, mocha, espresso and orange peel, followed by sweet-dry tannins. 19+/20 points.

2010 Tero Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley

Deep ruby colored, this wine displays a ripe nose of raspberry, plum and roast coffee. The flavors are thick and chewy, with an earthy character that is reminiscent of a Chinon from the Loire Valley. On the back the chewy texture continues with notes of mocha, roasted nuts, Swiss chocolate, followed by a seductive finish that is marked by ripe tannins. 19/20 points.

Next week: More on Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend, including upcoming releases in 2012