Three Walla Walla Valley Vineyards Sold

The big wine industry news the past few weeks has been the sale of three choice vineyards in the South Walla Walla Valley. Here they are.

Windrow Vineyards - This property is located west of Milton-Freewater and was part of the original Seven Hills Vineyard first planted in 1981 by Dr. Herb Hendricks and Dr. James McClellan. The sale was facilitated by Michele Rennie's blue and vine group brokered by EXP Realty. The vineyard was part of the Tero Estates winery adjacent to the vineyard, for which Doug Roskelley was winemaker until he passed away in 2021 after which the property was put up for sale. The buyer has not yet been disclosed except to say that "The new owner grew up in Milton-Freewater and is very excited to be coming home. She plans to honor the legacy while taking the property to the next level."

Tertulia Cellars - This property was acquired on February 12 by Patterson Cellars in Woodinville. The winery closed in December, largely due to COVID and was put up for sale. The sale includes the Whistling Hill Vineyard adjacent to the Winery on Whitely Road on Walla Walla's Southside. The winery will be rebranded and Patterson Cellars, Walla Walla and operations will be conducted in both Woodinville and Walla Walla. 

Waliser Vineyard - On March 6, it was announced that the Waliser Vineyard in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater has been sold to the Figgins Family Properties which owns Leonetti Cellar. The nine acre vineyard is adjacent to the Holy Roller Vineyard which is owned by the Figgins. This expands the Figgins presence in The Rocks. The Waliser Vineyard was planted by Tom Waliser in a site that was formerly an orchard. The terms on the sale were not disclosed. Tom Waliser stated, "I'm honored to see the Figgins family become its new steward."

More New French Wines

Here are some more of our finds in French wines. See last week's blog for previous ones.

N. V. Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d'Alsace Brut ($21.99 - Esquin) - Blended from Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris, this sparkling wine offers a brilliant lemon-gold color, frothy bubbles and aromas of pear, peach, honeydew melon, apple blossoms, wildflowers, jasmine and brioche. The flavors are crisp and precise, with notes of pear skins, peach stones and slaty minerals. The back picks up poire William liqueur, melon rind and a bit of spice (from the Riesling) on the CO2 enlivened finish. 18.5/20 points.

N. V. Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé ($23.99 - Esquin) - Made exclusively from Pinot Noir, this shows a brilliant copper-pink color, frothy bubbles and aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, blood orange, cherry and orange blossoms and white flowers. The flavors are pleasingly juicy and well delineated, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Vosges minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs and orange peel, all enlivened by the CO2 on the finish. 18.5/20 points.

Prince de Didonne Pineau de Charentes ($38 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This is produced from the same grapes as for Cognac - Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche - fermented with residual sugar and fortified to 17% alcohol. It displays an amber color and an intriguing nose of ripe pear, yellow peach, dried orange peel and a hint of butternut. The flavors are strikingly vigorous, with notes of pear skin, orange peel and Charentais coastal minerals, followed by a lingering sweetish finish that is lifted by bracing fruit acids,. Drink as an aperitif or dessert wine. 19/20 points.

2020 Domaine Talmard Mâcon Chardonnay ($17.99 - Esquin) - This comes from the village of Chardonnay, where the grape takes its name. It shows a brilliant gold color and attractive aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and a hint of butternut. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with bright fruits that are accented by pear skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. "Eighteen dollars, oh my God!" says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine Cheveau Mâcon-Solutré-Pouilly, "Sur le Mont" ($24.99 - wine.com) - From a vineyard below the Rock of Solutré, this offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear, peach and citrus with scents of pear blossoms, acacia flowers and whiffs of butternut. The flavors show considerable Chardonnay character, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and Solutré minerals. On the back, the wine takes on a viscous texture, along with poire and pêche liqueurs, counterpointed by bright fruit acids on the finish. "A lot of flavor, I love Chardonnay." says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Château Thivin Brouilly "Reverdon" ($28.99 - wine.com) - From a highly regarded producer, the Famille Geoffray, this Cru Beaujolais displays purplish ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, tobacco, purple lilac and wafts of sweet incense. The flavors are ample yet focused, with copious red and blue fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola, black tea and earth. The back picks up pressed fruits, roasted nuts, framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs, followed by a deliciously juicy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly ($32.99 - wine.com) - This comes from the slope high above Brouilly. It displays a deep ruby-crimson color and seductive aromas of wild raspberries, black currants, blood orange, black roses, sweet pea flowers, violeta and sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously supple yet full and mouth filling, with copious red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and granitic minerals. The saturation continues on the back with pressed fruits, sweet nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel followed by a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Louis Jadot Monthelie, "Sous Roche," Domaine Gagey ($46.99 - wine.com) - Monthelie is situated between Volnay and Meursault. This wine exhibits a brick red color and seductive aromas of strawberry, brambly currant, blood orange, crushed roses, orange blossoms, sweet pea flowers, and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are deliciously supple yet deep and mouth encompassing, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa powder, orange pekoe tea and calcareous minerals. The wine fills out on the back with pressed berries, fraise, cassis and orange liqueurs, all followed by a lingering, ripe yet sturdy tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Maranges Premier Cru, Clos de la Bouterie ($49.99 - wine.com) - Maranges is located at the south end of the Côte d'Or. This exhibits a deep brick red color and lovely aromas of wild strawberries, cherries, black currants, wild roses, purple lilac, sweet tobacco and sweet incense. The flavors are alluring, with ripe, supple red fruits that are imbued with licorice, cocoa, black tea and calcareous minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with macerated berries, roasted pecans, fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and soft charcoal, all followed by a lingering balanced acid and tannin finish. 19/20 points.