During the Christmas and New Year's celebrations in Walla Walla, we went through a lot of wines. Being poured for special occasions, there were quite a few memorable wines. Here are some of the highlights.

On December 24th, we went to an "Orphan's Christmas Eve Dinner," hosted by Marvin and Sally Wood, for those without family to dine with. There was plenty of Gruet and Domaine Mumm sparkling wine. We took a bottle of 2007 Rotie Cellars Southern Red, a blend of Syrah and Grenache, Sean Boyd's first vintage. It showed nicely, starting to round out into what the French call "velours."

Lynn and IO toasted Christmas Day with Champagne J.L. Vergnon Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs. It showed luxurious floral aromas and a rich, creamy texture, followed by bracing acidity and true brut dryness. For dinner, we had the 2008 FIGGINS Estate Red Wine with roasted leg of lamb. The Figgins was still young and vigorous, but beginning to round out nicely.

On Sunday, December 28th, we hosted a Post Christmas Buffet for twenty guests. We had sliders with the Vermont smoked ham and turkey my brother in law in New Jersey had sent to us. A lot of wonderful wines were poured, some ours, some brought by guests. The 2011 François Childane "Clos Habert" Montlouis, from across the Loire River from Vouvray, was a superb expression of dry Chenin Blanc. The 2010 No Girls Grenache from the La Paciencia Vineyard was a beauty, but unlike any other Grenache, I've run accross, being more floral, rather than red fruited, than usual. Erik McLaughlin suspected there were white grapes in it. There were two superb Red Burgundies, a lovely, velvety 2010 Domaine Dubreuil Fontaine Pernand Vergelesses Premier Cru, Ile des Vergelesses, and an elegant, muscular 2010 Domaine Mugnier Nuits St. Gerorges Premier Cru, Clos de la Marechale. Dawn and Gary Brumfield brought a 2005 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, which was developing beautifully. The star of the evening was the 2012 Domaine Georges Vernay "Les Chailles de L'Enfer" Condrieu, a striking expression of the Viognier grape, a wine that was "like a laser beam."

For New Year's Eve, we went to Brandon and Emma Kubrock's "Rock Out With Your Kubrocks Out" Party. Again, plenty of Gruet and Mumm sparkling wine was poured (Albertson's was having a big sale on them). I brought a bottle of Champagne Aubry Brut Premier Cru which was delicously frothy and creamy. Justin Wylie poured a preview of his highly impressive (potential 19.5/20 points) 2012 Va Piano DuBrul Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, to be released in the Spring. I took a bottle of the 2008 No Girls Grenache (see the 2010 above), and it turned out to be unlike most Grenaches, with scents of honeysuckle and white lilac (a bit of Roussanne, perhaps?). Anothr guest brought the 2006 Cayuse "God Only Knows" Grenache, which was more typical of the variety, and turning earthy and velvety. Another tasty Grenache was the 2011 Sleight of Hand Cellars "The Sorceress" Grenache. A 2008 Leonetti Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was big and loaded with flavor.

All these wines and others helped make for a memorable 2014-2015 Holiday Season.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2015!