This year, Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley on December 4th through 6th. It was a festive weekend with wine tasting rooms decorated with Holiday lights and greenery. Most wineries also had one or two wines to taste from the barrel. Here's a rundown of the most interesting wines, from the 2013 and 2014 vintages, which will be released in the future.

2014 Saviah Cellars "Foot Stomp" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Vineyard - As the name suggests, this was crushed the traditional way. It shows a deep purplish color and true varietal aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tobacco and incense. The palate offers loads of dark fruits, intermixed with chocolate, coffee and "Rocks" minerals, followed by a long, complex finish. 19+/20 points.

2014 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc (Release April) - Brilliant ruby colored, this wine offers a typical nose of raspberry, cherry, plum, roses, mulberrt and earth, with chewy textured red fruits, marked by notes of licorice, chocolate, and loam. The back picks up roasted berries and nuts, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2014 Tero Estates Charbono, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - Charbono is a rarity. Christian Brothers and others used to make it in the Napa Valley in the '60's. This one shows a crimson color and perfumed aromas of blackberry, cranberry and cassis, with scents of wild roses, tobacco and spiced incense. The mouth enveloping flavors are deep and robust, yet silky, with notes of fruit liqueurs and charcoal on the back, followed by a chewy, piquant, ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2013 Kontos Cellars "Beckett" Red Wine (Release May, 2017) - Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 20% Syrah, this is a striking wine. It offers a deep ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of wild berries, roses, tobacco and incense. The flavors are thick and massive, yet velvety, with notes of bittersweet chocolate, roasted coffee, loam and gravel and silt minerals, followed by a long finish. 19+/20 points (possiblely 19.5).

2014 Flying Trout "Mary's Block" Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - This may be the vineyard's best Malbec to date. It shows a deep purplish color and rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, crushed roses and violets. The black and blue fruit flavors are alluring as well, mouth encompassing, bold, yet velvety, with a long, true varietal finish. 19.5/20 points.

The following four wines are available from the wineries at futures pricing.

2014 Gino Cuneo Cellars "Bonatello Riserva" Sangiovese - This wine is exquisitely wrought, with a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of cherry, currant, orange peel, roses and incense. The flavors are deep and bright, with silky red fruits and a long finish. 19/20 points.

2013 Gino Cuneo Cellars "Seccopasso" Red Wine - This is the only Amarone style wine made in the U.S. It shows a deep garnet color and intoxicating aromas of wild berries, cherries, walnuts, dried cherries and oriental incense. The flavors, as well, are deep and complex, with notes of dried fruits, cherry liqueur and spices, followed by an intense, dry true Amarone finish. 19.5/20 points.

2013 Salida Cellars Malbec - This wine exhibits Malbec's traits of a dark purplish color and aromas of black fruits, currants, earth, crushed roses, and violets. The flavors are deep and chewy textured, more old world than new, recalling the "Black Wine" of Cahors. 19/20 points.

2013 Salida Cellars "Voila Walla Espagnol" Red Wine - This wine is an intriguing blend of Petite Sirah, Malbec, Tempranillo and Mataro. It shows a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of blackberry, blueberry and plum with scents of roses, tobacco, vanilla and incense. The flavors are thick and well textured, with lots of dark fruits, a liqueur imbued back and a long finish. 19+/20 points.

Next WeeK - The Top Wines of 2015 - Wines scoring 20/20 and 19.5/20 points - Monday, December 14.