Last Wednesday, in my Review of Washington Wines Blog, I wrote that I would be reporting on "Walla Walla Breaking Wine News." The biggest news in that projected posting was going to be about the Tero Estates, Flying Trout Wines and Waters Winery ground breaking event at a new faciity to be constructed just below the Amavi Winery on Peppers Bridge Road. That event was canceled due to permit issues yet to be resolved. So this report will have to be left for later. Also, the Downtown Walla Walla winery tasting rooms are still in flux, and in some cases, nebulous. So more on that later. This leaves my report comparing the 2011 and 2012 Washington State red wines. So here's this week's article.

 

The 2012 and 2011 Red Wines Compared

After the protracted harvest of 2011 which went well into November, 2012 was a return to a more normal season. Harvesting began in early September and was mostly completed by the end of October. This resulted in wines with differing characteristics.

The 2011 reds have frequently been called "old world" in style. That is, wines with pronounced aromatics, resulting from the phenols that were developed during the extended "hang time" of the harvest, and with drier tannins on the finish. So far, with more 2012 reds being released, the wines seem to be more fruit forward, with the aromatics being more berrly like and less floral, and the tannins riper.

Qualitatively, the two vintages may turn out to be nearly equal, but stylistically different, which becomes more a matter of personal preference. If you like tasty, fruit forward wines, go for the 2012's. If you prefer more aromatic and structured "old world" like wines, go for the 2011's. Here are some fine examples of each vintage.

2012 Seven Hills Reserve Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Vineyard 19+ points - January - To be released in March.

2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrahs - These scored 19+ to 20/20 points in the January issue

2012 Sparkman Cellars "Wonderland" Grenache, Yakima Valley - This deliciouly ripe wine is to be reviewed in the March issue. 19 points

2012 Savage Grace Syrah-Grenache, Columbia Valley 18.5+ points - At $27 a bottle, this is a super value from an up and coming new winery in Woodinville. This and other 2012 reds will be in the March issue.

2011 Cadaretta "Windthrow" Red Wine - 19+ points - January

2011 Rasa Vineyards Living in the Limelight" Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, Dionysus Vineyard - A classic Petit Verdot with teriffic aromatics. - 19.5 points - July

2011 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard - 19.5 points - To be reviewed in March.

2011 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Loess Vineyard  - Even better than the excellent 2010. 19.5 points - To be reviewed in March.