The weekend of December 7-8 was Holiday Barrel Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. During this event, wineries got into the Holiday spirit with festive lights and decorations, while entertaining visitors with new releases and samplings of future releases. Here are some of the wines we tasted.

Cadaretta Winery - Here, we sampled a richly perfumed and tasty 2011 Syrah from the Blue Mountain and Stone Tree vineyards, and a 2011 Windthrow Rhone-style blend. Also, barrel samples of the 2012 Merlot from the winery's Southwind estate vineyard in the south Walla Walla Valley, and an intese Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain and Alder Ridge.

El Corazon - Here, with Spencer Sievers, we tasted the 2012 Grand Vidure (aka Carmenère) to be released next year as the next vintage of "Tiger's Blood" (named after the Sievers' son). It was richly aromatic and perfumed, with deep, saturated dark fruits and a long elegant finish (19 points). Also tasted was the 2011 "Dorado" Red, a 73% Sangiovese, 17% Malbec, 5% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot blend that is a departure from the usual "Super Tuscan" blend. To be reviewed in January.

Woodward Canyon - Rick and Darcey Small previewed the 2012 Artist's Series Cabernet Sauvignon to be released late next year. A rich, flamboyant wine with loads of fruit and minerality, it will be a highly pleasurable wine.

Maison Bleue - Next year, Jon Meuret will have a new "Voyageur" Syrah, his first from the Walla Walla Valley. Composed of 60% Pepper Bridge and 40% Seven Hills, the barrel sample showed seductive aromas of wild fruits, tobacco, violets and incense. Rich and supple, it has South Walla Walla Valley terroir written all over it. Stunning, it is a potential 19.5 points wine.

Forgeron Cellars - At the winery's Raclette Party, Marie-Eve Gilla previewed the next edition of the Anvil Reserve, a 2012 Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. Deep purplish colored, almost midnight black, it recalled the "black wine" of Cahors in central France. The intense fruits, perfumes, maduro cigar, and black violets jumped out of the glass along with deep, saturated flavors. Also previewed was a 2012 Alder Ridge Zinfandel which was loaded with spicy fruits laid on a medium full-bodied frame.

Seven Hills Winery - The winery has a special pre-release offering of its first Estate Reserve Malbec, that scored 19+ points. A full review is to follow in the January issue of the Review.

Reynvaan Family Vineyards - The Reynvaans previewed their 2012's (to be released next Fall) during Fall Release Weekend. Superb wines, scoring 19 - 20 points. A full report will be in the January 2014 issue.

 

Another highlight of Holiday Barrel Weekend was the Tero, Flying Trout, Waters dinner at the Marcus Whitman Hotel on December 7th. Eighty diners were treated to superb dished prepared by chef Antionio Campolio and his staff, accompanied by impeccably paired wines. It was a fabulous and fun evening.