A few weeks ago, Doug and Jan Roskelley generously gave us six bottles of Tero Estates wines from the 2008 vintage. In 2007, the Roskelley, along with Mike Tembruell, acquired the Windrow Vineyard in the south Walla Walla Valley adjacent to Seven Hills. Some wines were made that year, but it was in 2008 that the winery's operations got into full swing. Last Sunday, October 18th, we hosted a tasting of these 2008s along with some other vintages. The Roskelleys were also present and Doug talked about the wine. Here are my notes.

2008 Tero Estates Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - This is a field blend of the same percentages of varieties as those planted on the vineyard - 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. It showed a ruby-garnet color and rich aromas of semi-dried berries, sandalwood, dried roses, and incense. The flavors were mature, with some residual fruit, along with a long, complex Bordeaux-like finish. 19/20 points.

2008 Tero Estates Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - The vines were originally planted by Herb Hendricks home and then transplanted at Windrow in the late '80's. This vintage showed some age, but held up nicely with aromas and flavors of semi-dried berries and roasted nuts. The texture came on as rich and round, with silty minerals, roasted nuts and a dryish finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2008 Tero Estates "S. T." Red Wine, Columbia Valley - "S. T." stands for "Super Tuscan," a blend of 51% Sangiovese and 49% Cabernet Sauvignon. It showed a medium garnet color and an intriguing nose of roasted walnuts, orange peel and incense. The flavors were silky textured, with chewy undertones and a smooth tannin fans. 18.5/20 points.

2008 Tero Estates Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard - When the Roskelleys decided to make a Petit Verdot, a grape not commonly produced as a varietal, they turned to the Les Collines Vineyard in the south Valley. It showed a garnet color and sultry aromas of dried fruits and spices. The medium bodied flavors showed some remaining fruit, finishing smooth and slightly nutted. 18.5/20 points.

2008 Tero Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards, Hill Block - From a block planted in 1998, this vintage showed a deep garnet color and a complex bouquet of dried fruits and flowers, sandalwood, cedar and incense. The flavors were velvety and complex, with a bit of graininess that extended to the back, with roasted nuts, a bit of toffee and coffee grounds, followed by a long finish. Elegant and superb. 19.5/20 points.

2008 Tero Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards, Old Block - This comes from one of the first significant plantings, in 1981, of Cabernet Sauvignon in the South Valley. It showed a brilliant garnet color and a lovely bouquet of sweet-dry fruits, samdalwood, dried orange peel and smoldering oriental incense. The flavors were full and fleshy, with considerable remaining ripe fruit, followed by a long finish with a bit of tannin. 19.5/20 points.

2014 Tero Estates "DC3" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - This wine takes its name from Dr. Herb Hendricks' Dugger Creek Cattle Company (DC3) part of which is where the Windrow Vineyards were planted. Composed of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc, it showed a deep ruby-garnet color and a rich, smoky nose of raspberry, cherry, plum and orange peel. The flavors were pleasingly ripe, with notes of licorice, cocoa, French roast and silt, followed by a nice ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Tero Estates Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - Cab Franc is something of a Tero specialty. This showed a deep color and a rich nose of raspberry, cherry, plum, orange peel, sandalwood, rosemary and sage. The flavors were chewy and vivid, fruit forward, with intermixtures of cocoa, coffee and silt, followed by a long finish. 19./20 points.

2010 Tero Estates Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - Deep ruby colored, this possessed smoky aromas of semi dried fruits, sandalwood, tobacco and incense. The flavors were medium bodied, yet framed by deep fruits, intermixed with licorice, cacao and coffee grounds, all leading intro a long spice and herb dusted finish. 19/20 points.

2011 Tero Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyards - This is a product of a protracted harvest. It showed a deep ruby color and an intoxicating nose of blackberries, dark cherries, black currants, orange peel, tobacco and incense. The flavors were deep and focused with complex undertones and a long finish. It needs more time to develop fully at which time it should score 19.5/20 points.

This was a highly rewarding tasting and all enjoyed it. Our thanks to Doug and Jan Roskelley for helping make this happen.