Phylloxera Discovered in the Walla Walla Valley

In the January 25 issue of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, there was an article about the emergence of the phylloxera beetle which devastates grape vines the Walla Walla Valley. It was first detected in 2019, but a recent microscopic examination of a vine root has revealed an infestation. It was discovered by Sadie Drury, vineyard manager for the Seven Hills Vineyard. Native rootstock is resistant to phylloxera, but vinifera rootstock is considered preferable. In California in the 1980's and '90's, vineyards were devastated and had to be replanted. Phylloxera has been found around Washington, but in Walla Walla just leaf damage has been found. But it is a matter of time that replanting will have to be done. Already, there is research under way to determine what rootstocks will be best for the Walla Walla Valley with test plantings made in 2021.

Walla Walla Wineries Opening in Woodinville. 

Last week, it was announced that the L'Ecole No 41 and Valdemar Estates wineries will be opening tasting rooms in the Wine Walk Row in The Schoolhouse District, a MainStreet Property Group development. These openings will bring these two wineries closer to the Puget Sound area visitors. The development incorporates modern architecture built around a renovated historic schoolhouse building. Rebecca Clubb-Olson will be the designer for the L'Ecole No 41 facility. "We are looking forward to providing a L'Ecole experience in a totally new space, yet with a familiar feel, stated Marty Clubb. For Valdemar Estates, CEO Jesus Martinez Bujanda stated, "We didn't want to open just another tasting room in Woodinville, we wanted to offer something special to the community, and I think that's what we're doing with our new location in the Schoolhouse district." Also new in the development will be the Walla Walla Steak Company and Crossbuck Brewing. 

New Burgundy Wines Tasted Recently

We have bought more wines from the Maconnais, Beaujolais and Côte d'Or regions of Burgundy. Here's what we tasted. 

2019 Domaine Michel Barraud Macon Villages ($18.99 - wine.com) - From Prissé, in the heart of the Maconnais, this Chardonnay offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, peach, lime, pear blossoms, acacia flowers and yellow incense. The flavors are bright and lively, accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and lime zest on the way to a crisp, nicely fruited finish. Terrific value. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine André Bonhomme Viré Clessé, Vieilles Vignes ($33.99 - wine.com) - The communes of Viré and Clessé are situated in the heart of the Mâconnais. From a certified Biologiqe winery, this shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and wet stone. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with bright fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and granitic minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed buy a nicely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Daniel & Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé, La Roche ($51.99 - wine.com) - From what is now a Premier Cru vineyard in Vergisson, this displays a brilliant gold color and a lively nose of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, star fruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, butternut and whiffs of lightly spiced white incense. The flavors are strikingly intense and refined, pure Chardonnay, marked by grape and pear skins and granitic minerals. The ultra resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of creme fraiche and brioche, followed by a persistently minerally precise finish. Pricey, but worth it. 19+/20 points.

2019 Laurent Perrachon & Fils Juliénas, "Les Mouilles" ($19.99 - wine.com) - Deep brick red colored, this Cru Beaujolais emits rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, currant, crushed red roses, mulberry, tobacco, orange peel and incense. The flavors are deliciously generous and supple, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine fleshens out with pressed fruits, roasted pecans, framboise and cassis liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a smooth tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Jean-Michel Dupré Morgon, Vieilles Vignes 1935 ($21.99 - Esquin) - From vines planted in 1935, this wine exhibits a brick red color and rich aromas of wild raspberries, cherries, brambly currants, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, orange peel and incense. The flavors are generous and deep, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, coffee beans and granitic minerals. The penetration continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, kirsch and creme de cassis, followed by a slightly grainy moderate tannin finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine des Rosiers Moulin-a-Vent ($29.99 - wine.com) - This Duboeuf product offers a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, red roses, mulberry, purple lilac, vanillin and and whiffs of sweet incense. The pure Gamay flavors are filled with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, black tea and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine intensifies with framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs, light oak and soft charcoal, followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Terrasses de Bievaux" ($26.99 - wine.com) - Santenay is situated near the south end of the Côte d'Or. This shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors are true to the Chardonnay variety, with grape and pear skins, peach stones and stony minerals. On the back, the wine enlivens with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat and grapefruit peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune, Vieilles Vignes ($36.99 - wine.com) - This displays a deep brick red color and enticing aromas of strawberry, red currant, blood orange, crushed roses, lilac and sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously supple yet substantial, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and minerals. On the back, the wine takes on a chewy texture, with pressed berries, roasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and soft charcoal, followed by a pleasingly ripe moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Joseph Drouhin Côtes de Nuits Villages ($37.99 - wine.com) - This un vin charmant, with a brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cerise and cassis fruits, red roses, wildflowers and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors are pleasingly supple, with much Pinot Noir character, intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and hillside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed berries and crème de cassis, followed by an, again, pleasing moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.