This year, unlike 2020 when it was canceled due to COVID-19, Spring Release Weekend, May 6-9, was a somewhat normal event. Space for tasting and winemaker dinners were limited, but otherwise it was a successful weekend. Hotels and restaurants were fully booked and sales were brisk.

Because much of my tasting was done at home before May 7, we attended only a few events. The first was at Abeja on Thursday afternoon where we went through Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler's new releases which are to be reviewed in the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines (on line May 25).

On Friday morning, we drove up to the end of Cottonwood Road to Reynvaan Family Vineyards, There, we tasted Matt Reynvaan's stellar MTR Productions 2017 Walla Walla Valley Syrah (20/20 points - full review to be in the June issue). Also highly impressive were the rich yet laser-like 2019 Grenache Blanc and opulent yet focused 2028 Foothills Reserve Syrah.

Friday evening, we went to the Valdemar Estates Winemaker Dinner with winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla. The food and wine pairings were spot on. Garbanzo Frisee Salad with the 2020 Roussanne and Duck, peas and asparagus with the Conde de Valdemar 2016 Las Seis Alajas Granciano from the Rioja district of SpaIn. The third course paired poached halibut, eggplant pisto and polenta with the 2019 Valdemar DuBrul Chardonnay, and fourth, Beef Bourguignon with spätzle with the 2018 Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The dessert course, Chocolate Mousse with strawberry compote, was accompanied by the 2019 Tapteil Vineyard Grenache. All exceptional wines, to be reviewed in the June issue.