Barrel Tasting 2009's in Walla Walla
During Fall Release Weekend (November 5-6) and Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend (December 3-5) in Walla Walla, I had the opportunity to taste several 2009's from the barrel (see last week's blog for my report on 2008's). Here are the highlights. These are preliminary scores and some of these could go higher.
2009 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Unnamed" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $40 - Fall 2011 Release)
The Reynvaans (Mike, Gale and son Matt) made a big splash with their 2008's which were released in November. The 2009's are sure hits, too. In tasting on November 5, the "Unnamed" showed a deep purplish color and an intense nose of wild berries, cherries, lavender, rose petals and sage, with dark, well-saturated fruit flavors that showed tones of chocolate, licorice, mocha and minerals. 19/20 points.
2009 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "In the Rocks" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $45 - Fall Release)
From the "Rocks" district south of the border, in what was once the riverbed of the Walla Walla River before it changed to i ts present course. It showed a deep purplish color with an intriguing nose of wild berries, mulberry, oriental perfumed and lavender. Fairly taut in structure, but it showed fine elegant fruit that held on beautifully on the back. (Co-fermented with 3% Viognier). 19/20 points.
2009 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "The Contender" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $55 - Fall Release)
This wine emitted an entrancing wild berry nose, with scents of lavender, violets, mulberry, sandalwood and. Strikingly rich and saturated, it oozed with dark fruits that surged on the back, intermixed with minerals, cocoa powder, loess dust and stony minerals. The finely fruited finish showed superb balance. 19.5/20 points.
2009 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Stonessence" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $60 - Fall Release)
This is a "Reserve," wine, intended to convey the "essence" the "Rocks." In tasting, it was phenomenal. It showed an elegant nose of wild blackberries, raspberries, currants and blueberries, with scents of violets and oriental perfumes along with whiffs of spices and pepper. The flavors were well-structured, but not overbearing, multilayered with tones of silty loess, ground minerals, stony rock, Swiss chocolate, vanilla bean, creme brulee, roasted nuts. The wine was completely seamless, with a fine grained tannin finish that went on and on. Most likely it will go to 20/20 points. 19.5+/20 points.
2009 Saviah Cellars "Une Vallee" Red, Walla Walla Valley (Fall Release)
Composed of 56% McClellan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Seven Hills Merlot and 6% Stillwater Creek Cab Franc, this showed a deep purplish color and a sweet wild berry nose with scents of roses and hyacinth. On the palate, the dark fruit flavors were deliciously ripe and seductive. A very promising wine. 18.5+/20 points.
2009 Gramercy Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Fall Release)
Tasted at Waters Winery, where Gramercy shares facilities, this showed a deep purplish color and an intense nose of roasted berries. The flavors were thick from beginning to end, chock full of coffee, chocolate, licorice and spices laid upon ripe tannins. A potential killer Syrah. 19/20 points.
2009 Waters Winery Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Forgotten Hills Vineyard (Fall Release)
This looks to be a superb rendition of the loess-laden Forgotten Hills Vineyard south of Walla Walla. It showed the vineyard's typical perfumed raspberry, currant and strawberry aromatics, with silky, yet well-defined, flavors, accented by notes of cocoa, licorice and orange peel along with a fine fruit-acid balance and integrated tannins. 19/20 points.
2009 Waters Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley (Fall/Winter Release)
Composed of Pepper Bridge and Windrow Vineyards, this showed rich berry fruits and gorgeous perfumes of rose, violets and hyacinth. The flavors were thick and mouth encompassing, yet velvety with plenty of fruit and glycerine, laced with cocoa, spices and toasty oak. 19/20 points.
2009 Castillo de Feliciana "Rosebud" Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope (Fall Release)
This looks to be a fine follow-up to the 2008 which was released in November. It showed a deep garnet color and a seductive nose of wild berries, rose petals and soft spice. The chewy, taffeta-like red and blue fruits showed plenty of charm, accented by notes of cocoa powder and licorice, with hints of spice and pepper. This will give winemaker Ryan Raber a good track record with this variety. 18.5/20 points.
Other noteworthy '09's previously tasted:
Kerloo Cellars Grenache and Malbec - I tasted these from the barrels in September and found them to be remarkably well-extracted and fruited. They will be wines to watch.
Sleight of Hand Cellars - See my blog of December 1 below for my report on tasting Trey Busch's '10's and '09's.
Adams Bench Red Willow Cabernet a Washington Wine Report Wine of the Year Finalist
Sean Sullivan's Washington Wine Report is having its annual on line Reader Survey of the 2010 Wine of the Year and the 2011 Wine to Watch. One of the three finalists is the 2007 Adams Bench Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon which I awarded a perfect 20/20 points in the March issue of the Review. I was the first to review that wine, so, naturally, I'm pleased to see it get this kind of recognition. The 2007 "V" Red is also a finalist. The Adams Bench 2008 Reckoning is a finalist for the 2011 Wine to Watch. The 2009 Reynvaan Stonessence Syrah (see above) is also a finalist in that category.
If you, too, have been impressed with these wines, you should go to the Washington Wine Report website and cast your vote.
Coming Up: Next Week - Looking Back on 2010, December 27 - Top Wines of 2010, January 3 - Predictions for 2011