Holiday Barrel Weekend in Walla Walla

Here's what we tasted last weekend, December 3 and 4.

Library Wines at Abeja

Instead of barrel samples, Abeja poured previously released wines paired with small bites.

2019 Chardonnay, Washington State ($50) - This Chardonnay has developed beautifully. It shows a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of apple, peach, quinc, citrus and pineapple with scents of apple blossoms, acacia flowers and wisteria. The flavors are resonant, pure Chardonnay, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and tart apple. The back picks up touches of creme fraiche and hazelnut on the way to a full, lon, satiny finish. 19.5/20 points.

2018 Beekeeper's Blend, Washington State ($44) - Composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, this offers a ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberries, huckleberries, cherries, roses, mulberry, rosemary and vanillin. The flavors are supple, yet forceful, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, ganache and roasted coffee beans, followed by framboise and kirsch liqueurs on the long, firm yet smooth finish. 19/20 points.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($96) - This Cabernet, 84% with 14% Merlot and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a deep ruby-garnet color and rich, smoky aromas of blackberry, cherry, blueberry, crushed roses, tobacco, pine sap, and sultry incense. The flavors are rounding out beautifully, with notes of licorice root, black tea and variegated earth and minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured yet satiny, with sensations of roasted nuts, mocha, toffee and satiny tannins. 19.5/20 points.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Heather Hill Vineyard ($264 - 1.5 Liter) - This is a highly aromatic 100% Cabernet. Deep ruby-garnet, it possesses a nose of blackberry, cherry, plum, black roses, cigar mix, sandalwood, sagebrush, anise and oriental incense. The flavors are beautifully structured and deep, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and loamy minerals. The back reveals pressed berries, roasted walnuts, mocha, integrated oak and satiny tannins on the seamless, ultra long finish. Superb. 20/20 points.

Barrel Tasting 2021 Reds

At two wineries, we had barrel samples of the following wines. 

2021 Mongata Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Resurgent Vineyard - Ruby colored, this emits rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant with scents of rosebuds, tobacco, sage and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep, with supple fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa and cobblestone and silt minerals. On the back, the wine presents a round texture with notes of red liqueurs and roasted nuts prefacing a ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2021 Mongata Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley - This is a Chinon-like Cab Franc with a ruby color and rich, smoky nose of raspberry, blueberry, cherry, plum, lilac, tobacco and herb potpourri. The flavors are rich and round, marked by licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee brans and earth. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, framboise liqueur and soft charcoal, followed by a chewy tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2021 Saviah Cellars Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Vineyard - Deep ruby-crimson colored, this emits rich, sensuous aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, cassis, crushed roses, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors, likewise, are thick and dramatic, with dark fruits that are infused with licorice, chocolate and Rocks minerals. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted walnuts, mocha and graphite, followed by a long balanced tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

French Wines on Sale

A couple of weeks ago, Wine.com, a major in line wine retailer, announced a sale on selected wines at up to 40% off. I put in an order and have tasted the following French wines.

N.V. Le Grand Courtâge Grande Cuvée Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine ($16.99 Regular $25) - This is an enjoyable bubbly. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and aromas of strawberries, red currants, pomegranate, orange peel, pink lilac and orange blossoms. The flavors are sprightly, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins and saline minerals. The wine enlivens further on the back with fraise and Cointreau liqueurs and CO2 on the moderate alcohol (11.5%) true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Château de Bligny Champagne Grande Reserve Brut Rosé ($47.99 - Regular $65) - This is a beautiful Rosé at a great price. It displays a brilliant copper- pink color, streaming bubbles and lovely aromas of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, tangerine, cherry blossoms, pink roses and orange incense. The flavors are deftly styled, with red and orange fruits that are imbued with grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues in the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a CO2 enlivened Brut finish. 19+/20 points.

2020 Château Pique-Caillou Graves Blanc, Pessac-Leognan ($37.99 - Regular $60) - This white Bordeaux is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with 10% Semillon. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of Bosc pear, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, lemongrass and flintstone. The flavors are classically styled, with yellow and green fruits that are imbued with grape skins, melon rind and gravelly (Graves) minerals. On the back, the wine takes a dynamic turn with poire William liqueur, melon rind, almond and grapefruit peel, followed by a precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Château Saint André Corbin, St, Georges-St. Emilion ($25.99 - Regular $39) - From the commune just north of Saint Emilion, this is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, cedar and stick ince and nse. The flavors are full and round, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and clay and limestone minerals. On the back, the wine firms up a bit with macerated fruits, roasted pecans and framboise and kirsch liqueurs and moderate oak (1/3 new) followed by a chewy tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Château du Caillou Cahors Malbec ($19.99 - Regular $32) - This a fine rendition of the "Black Wine" of Cahors in southwest France. It shows an inky ruby-purple color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, mulberry, tobacco, sage and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep cored, with dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French press and stony (caillou) minerals. The wine fills out on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and blueberry preserves followed by a ripe tannin finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine des Quatre Vents Fleurie ($23.99 - Regular $32) - This is an elegant Cru Beaujolais. It shows a deep ruby color and lovely aromas of fraises de bois, cerise and cassis with scents of rose petals, lavender and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors are supple yet vigorous with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, Swiss chocolate, black tea and granitic minerals. The back reveals gently pressed berries, fraise and cerise liqueurs, followed by a moderate acid and tannin finish. The charm gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Nôtre Dame de Pallières Gigondas ($31.99 - Regular $38) - Composed of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre from a high elevation site, this exhibits a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of strawberries, blueberries and brambly currants with scents of crushed roses, tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The flavors are mouth filling, with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The saturation continues on the back with fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and blueberry preserves, followed by a savory moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5+/20 points.