Details

As the year 2017 draws to a close, here's what ahead for Washington wine in 2018.

More Consolidation and Ownership Changes

The acquisition of Walla Walla Vintners by a Portland investor, signaled a sign of the times of consolidation in the Washington wine industry. The retirements of WWV founders Miles Anderson and Gordy Venneri is indicative of the trend of new players coming into the industry. Other acquisitons are sure to take place in the coming year. The Seattle based Metis, an Exvere Company has emerged as a major player with its role as a "Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory Services" organization. The Metis Walla Walla office is headed by Erik McLaughlin along with Philippe Michel. We will be seeing more of them in 2018.

More New Washington AVAs

There are applications pending with the U.S. Treasury TTB (Trade & Tobacco Bureau) for four new American Viticultural Areas as follows. 

Candy Mountain - With 815 acres of vineyards, this will be Washington's smallest AVA. It is located at the northeast junction of Interstates 182 and 82, just west of Richland. The area has 53.7 acres of vines, most of the fruit going to Long Shadows and L'Ecole No. 41.

Royal Slope - This will be a sub AVA of Columbia Valley. It is located in east central Washington, near Royal City. It ha 1400 acres of vineyards planted, including Stillwater Creek, Lawrence and Stoneridge (the source of K Vintners Royal City Syrah). 

The Burn of Columbia Valley - Located in south central Washington, between the Columbia Gorge and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs, it will comprise of 16.780 acres of which 1261 are under vine. Much of the plantings are Cabernet Sauvignon

White Bluffs - This will be another sub appellation of the Columbia Valley, located in south central Washington, north of Richland. It takes its name from the white sedimentary escarpments. The area encompasses 93.738 acres, of which 1127 are under vine. Well known vineyards in the proposed AVA are Sagemoor, Gamache and and Claar. 

Approval of these new appellations which will expand the list of Washington AVAs to eighteen will take time. But it is a sign that Washington grape vine growing is expanding and new names are emerging.

Growth in Vineyard Plantings

Along with the growing list of Washington AVAs, there is growth in vineyard planting. The SeVein vineyard in the Walla Walla South Valley continues to add acreage. And there is the Va Piano Eritage project north of Highway 12 which will include a destination resort and restaurant. There is also the Widert property near Nine Mile Hill, a 6100 acre site up for sale by an Indiana owner. This could dramatically increase vineyard acreage in the Walla Walla Valley. 

Plantings in other parts of the state will continue to grow as wineries look for increased sources for grapes. Watch for niche varieties as well, such as Picpoul, Counoise, Cinsault, Souzão, Tannat, and more.

More Later! And Happy New Year!

 

Details

Listed below are the wines scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less and wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less in the Review of Washington Wines for 2017 together with the months in which they were reviewed. Some wines may be sold out. 

 

Wines Scoring 19/20 Points for $40 or Less

2014 Helix "SoRho" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - January

2014 Kerloo Cellars Grenache, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($40) - January

2014 Kerloo Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard ($40) - January

2012 Tranche Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard ($40) - January

2012 Tranche Cellars Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard ($40) - January

2015 Fidelitas "Optu" White Wine, Red Mountain ($30) - February

2014 K Vintners "Motor City Kitty" Syrah, Washington ($40) - February

2013 K Vintners "The Deal" Syrah, Wahluke Slope, Sundance Vineyard ($40) - February

2013 Bartholomew Souzao, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($37) - March

2013 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - March

2013 Northstar Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - March

2014 Balboa Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Eidolon Vineyard ($36) - April

2014 Isenhower "Jongleur" Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley ($34) - April

2014 Isenhower "River Beauty" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($34) - April

2014 Seven Hills Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Vineyard ($35) - April

2014 Lagana Cellars Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Valley, Breezy Slope Vineyard ($40) - April

2014 Flying Trout Malbec, Columbia Valley, Gamache Vineyard ($40) - May

2014 Mansion Creek Cellars "Field Blend" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($38) - May

2013 Tertulia Cellars Carmenère, Horse Heaven Hills, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($40) - May

2016 Va Piano "Black Label" Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Chelle den Millie Vineyard ($38) - May

2015 The Walls "Martin's Gold" Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard ($36) - June

2015 The Walls "McAndrew" Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, White Salmon Vineyard ($36) - June

2014 Maison Bleue "Coureur de Bois" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - June

2013 Coyote Canyon "GW Smith Reserve" Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills ($38) - July

2012 Coyote Canyon "Robert Andrews Reserve" Mourvèdre, Horse Heaven Hills ($38) - July

2015 Aluvé Chardonnay, Walla Walla Valley, Menozzi Vineyard ($32) - July

2015 March Cellars Malbec-Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley ($35) - July

2013 Ocelli Cellars Grenache, Columbia Valley ($30) - July

2014 Trust Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($32) - August

2014 Trust Cellars Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($34) - August

2014 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - August

2014 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - August

2014 Gifford Hirlinger "Obligatory" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Marieglen Vineyard ($40) - August

2014 El Corazon "Veni Vidi Vici" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - September

2014 El Corazon "With Love" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, XL Vineyard ($40) - September

2014 Coeur d'Alene Cellars "BDX" Red Wine, Washington State ($38) - September

2015 Block Wines Grenache, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard, Golden Block ($35) - September

2015 Kevin White "En Hommage" Syrah, Yakima Valley ($28) - September

2014 Kerloo Cellars "No Joke" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - September

2016 Mark Ryan Viognier, Columbia Valley ($30) - September

2015 Mark Ryan "The Dissident" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($38) - September

2014 Hard Row to Hoe Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan ($40) - October

2014 Nefarious Cellars Estate Syrah, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($35) - October

2014 Fielding Hills "Tribute" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, Riverbend Vineyard ($38) - October

2014 Fidelitas Red Mountain Malbec, Red Mountain ($40) - October

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, Candy Mountain Vineyard ($39) - October

2009 Full Pull & Friends "CVBDX" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($30) - October

2014 Kontos Cellars Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($39) - November

2014 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - November

2014 Northstar Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - November

2014 Northstar Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - November

2014 Waters Merlot, Washington State ($40) - November

2014 Balboa "Once in a Blue Moon" Reserve Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley, Stone Valley Vineyard ($40) - November

2014 Fielding Hills Estate Merlot, Wahluke Slope, Riverbend Vineyard ($38) - November

2014 Nefarious Cellars "Spinner" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($35) - November

2013 Nota Bene Cellars Syrah, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($40) - November

2015 The Walls "Lip Stinger" Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley ($38) - December

2016 Aluvé Estate Chardonnay, Walla Walla Valley, Menozzi Vineyard ($34) - December

2016 March Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($30) - December

2016 àMaurice Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner Lee Vineyard ($32) - December

2015 àMaurice Cellars Malbec, Columbia Valley, Gamache Vineyard ($38) - December

2014 àMaurice Cellars "Mason" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - December

2015 Barrister Carmenère, Wahluke Slope ($39) - December

2014 Barrister Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard ($37) - December

2013 Nota Bene Cellars Clos du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine, Red Mountain ($40) - December

2013 Nota Bene Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Red  Mountain, Heart of the Hill Vineyard ($40) - December

2015 Walla Walla Vintners "Vineyard Select" Chardonnay, Walla Walla Valley ($35) - December

 

Wines Scoring 18.5/20 Points for $25 or Less

2014 College Cellars Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($24) - January

2015 Milbrandt "The Estates" Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard ($22) - February

2015 Bunnell Family Cellar Viognier, Yakima Valley ($24) - February

2015 Zerba Cellars Roussanne, Walla Walla Valley, Cockburn Vineyard ($24) - February

2014 Structure Cellars "Bauhaus" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - March

2013 Bergevin Lane "She Devil" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($24) - March

2015 Block Wines Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley, Rothrock Vineyard ($18) - March

2015 Block Wines Semillon, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($18) - March

2015 Nine Hats Riesling, Columbia Valley ($14) - March

2015 Nine Hats Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley ($14) - March

2014 Nine Hats Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($18) - March

2014 Nine Hats Merlot, Columbia Valley ($25) - March

2014 Nine Hats Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - March

2014 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($25) - March

2014 College Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($20) - March

2014 College Cellars Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($22) - March

2015 Northstar Stella Blanca, White Wine, Columbia Valley ($20) - March

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah, Columbia Valley ($24) - March

2015 Browne Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($25) - April

2013 Coyote Canyon Tempranillo, Horse Heaven Hills, Coyote Canyon Vineyard ($25) - May

2013 Coyote Canyon Sangiovese, Horse Heaven Hills, Coyote Canyon Vineyard ($25) - May

2016 Tertulia Cellars Marsanna, Walla Walla Valley, Elevation Vineyard ($22) - May

2016 Tertulia Cellars Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, Whistling Hills Vineyard ($20) - May

2016 Gramercy Cellars Viognier, Columbia Valley, Antoine Creek Vineyard ($22) - June

2014 Puger Purveyors Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($20) - June

2016 Amavi Cellars Semillon, Walla Walla Valley ($24) - June

2014 Buty BEAST "Wildebeest" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($24) - July

2016 Adamant Cellars Albarino, Walla Walla Valley, Godhead Vineyard ($25) - July

2016 Adamant Cellars "Bijoux" White Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($25) - July 

2016 Callan Cellar Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($25) - August

2016 Lagana Cellars Chardonnay, Walla Walla Valley, Cockburn Vineyard ($25) - August

2016 College Cellars "RVM" White Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($20) - August

2015 College Cellars "La Laurella" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($25) - August

2015 College Cellars "GSM" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($25) - August

2015 College Cellars Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($25) - August

2015 College Cellars Tempranillo, Wallla Walla Valley, Anderson Vineyard ($25) - August

2014 Cor Cellars Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, McKinley Springs Vineyard ($25) - September

2016 Tetrahedron "Achromatic" Grenache White Wine, Columbia Valley ($24) - September

2016 Coeur d'Alene Cellars Chenin Blanc, Washington ($24) - September

2015 Clearwater Canyon Cellars Merlot, Lewis-Clark Valley ($25) - September

2013 Tero Estates Barbera, Walla Walla Valley ($24) - September

2016 Syncline Gruner Veltliner, Washington State ($24) - September

2016 Basel Cellars 2901 White Blend, Columbia Valley ($25) - September

2016 L'Ecole No. 41 Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($14) - September

2016 El Corazon "V Neck" Viognier, Walla Walla Valley ($23) - September

2016 Dowsett Family Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley ($14) - September

2016 Dowsett Family Riesling, Columbia Gorge, Aunt Diane's Vineyard ($16) - September

2016 Hard Row to Hoe Chardonnay, Lake Chelan ($25) - October

2014 Tunnel Hill "Sacrilege" Red Wine, Lake Chelan ($25) - October

2016 L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($21) - October

2016 Nefarious Cellars Estate Viognier, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($20) - October

2016 Nefarious Cellars Estate Riesling, Columbia Valley, Stone's Throw Vineyard ($20) - October

2016 Block Wines Tauro Block Semillon, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($18) - October

2007 Full Pull & Friends Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($20) - October

2013 Nota Bene Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - November

2016 Lopez Island Vineyards Siegrebbe, Puget Sound ($25) - November

2015 Vital Wines "Gratitude" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - December

2016 Barrister Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($21) - December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details

Listed below are wines scoring 20/20 and 19.5/20 points in the Review of Washington Wines. They are listed in the order in which they were reviewed. Some may be sold out.

Wines Scoring 20/20 Points

2015 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Stonessence" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($100) - February

2014 Avennia Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard, 1985 Block ($95) - May

2014 Canvasback "Grand Passage" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($80) - May

2013 DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($160) - June

2014 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($70) - June

2014 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($94) - August

2015 Rotie Cellars Northern Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley ($48) - August

2012 Corliss Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($75) - December

2012 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($95) - December

 

Wines Scoring 19.5/20 Points

2013 Woodward Canyon Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($79) - January

2013 Woodward Canyon "Charbonneau" Red Wine, Walla Walla County ($86) - January

2014 Proper Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($48) - January

2013 Rasa Vineyards "Creative Impulse" Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($95) - January

2013 Rasa Vineyards "in Order to form a more Perfect Union" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($95) - January

2013 Charles Smith "King Coal" Cabernet-Syrah, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($100) - February

2014 Mark Ryan "Lost Soul" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($48) - February

2013 Northstar "Premier" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - March

2014 Mark Ryan "Lonely Heart" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($95) - April

2012 Forgeron Cellars "Anvil" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($65) - April

2013 Andrew Will Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard ($74) - May

2014 Avennia "Sestina" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - May

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Ferguson Vineyard ($65) - May

2012 Tero Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard, Plateau Block ($55) - May

2014 Waters "Old Stones" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($50) - May

2015 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - June

2014 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($95) - June

2014 Maison Bleue "Frontière" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Waliser Vineyard ($65) - June

2014 Gramercy Cellars "John Lewis" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard ($85) - June

2013 Gramercy Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($95) - June

2014 DeLille Cellars "Chaleur Estate" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($80) - June

2014  DeLille Cellars "Harrison Hill" Red Wine, Snipes Mountain ($90) - June

2014 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($65) - June

2014 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Mays Discovery Vineyard ($65) - June

2015 Morell-Pena "Ysabella Bjork" Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($45) - July

2015 Morell-Pena "Camylla Loren" Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($45) - July

2015 Morell-Pena "Gemma Camaryn" Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($45) - July

2013 Ocellii Cellars Grenache, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($45) - July

2014 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Sagemoor Vineyard ($50) - July

2014 Reininger Carmenère, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($54) - July

2015 Rotie Cellars Southern Red Blend, Washington State ($48) - August

2012 G. Cuneo Cellars "Seccopasa" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($75) - August

2014 Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($75) - October

2014 Tranche Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($45) - October

2015 Tierra Labrada Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, Elevation Vineyard ($75) - October

2015 Tierra Labrada Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Elevation Vineyard ($95) - October 

2015 Tierra Labrada Cabernet Sauvignon, Walls Walla Valley, Elevation Vineyard ($95) - October

2014 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($70) - October

2014 Woodward Canyon "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($99) - October

2015 Ardor Cellars Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($60) - November

2015 Ardor Cellars "Quaternarioum" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($70) - November

2015 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Psychedelic" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($60) - November

2015 Forgeron Cellars "Anvil" Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard ($45) - November

2014 Seven Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Artz Vineyard ($75) - November

2016 Abeja Chardonnay, Washington State ($40) - December

2014 The Walls "Concrete Mama" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - December

2014 Rasa Vineyards "in Order to form a more Perfect Union" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($95) - December

2013 Rasa Vineyards "Fianchetto" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, XL Vineyard ($95) - December

2013 Rasa Vineyards "Veritas Sequitur" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, SJR Vineyard ($95) - December

2012 MTR Productions "Memory Found" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - December

2015 Rotie Cellars "little g" Grenache, Washington State ($60) - December

2015 Rotie Cellars "Swordfight" Red Wine, Washington State ($60) - December

2015 Rotie Cellars "Homage" Red Wine, Washington State ($60) - December

 

Next Week, Friday, December 22 - Best Buys of 2016 - Wines Scoring 19/20 Points for $40 or Less and Wines Scoring 18.5/20 Points for $25 or Less and the January 2018 Issue of the Review of Washington Wines

 

 

 

 

 

Details

Last weekend, December 1 and 2, I tasted several 2016 reds during Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. It is shaping up to be a highly promising vintage. Here are my notes in order of tasting.

2016 Woodward Canyon "Artist's Series" Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State - Deep purplish colored, this possesses an intoxicating nose of young fruits - blackberries, cherries, black currants - with scents of roses, sweet tobacco, cedar, spice, sage and incense. Well structured and focused this should develop into an elegant Cabernet. 19+/20 points.

2016 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, XL Vineyard - This shows a deep purplish color and an intense nose of blackberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, bayberry, tobacco, cedar, mint and incense. The flavors, as well, are deep and penetrating, with notes of licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted nuts and ripe tannins. 19+/20 points.

2016 Saviah Cellars "The Stones Speak" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - Deep ruby colored, this possesses an intriguing nose of raspberry, blueberry, cassis, crushed red roses, tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are generous and ample, red focused, with red licorice, cocoa, French roast and Rocks minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, creme de cassis and ripe tannins. 19+/20 points.

2016 Saviah Cellars "The Funk" Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - Fermented with 10% Viognier, and one third whole cluster, this showed a deep ruby color and a perfumed nose of raspberries, cherries, blueberries, black currants, crushed roses, tobacco and violets. The flavors are well structured, wth loads of black and blue fruits and distinct Rocks minerality. The back picks up pressed berries, nuts, toffee, leather and ripe tannins. Great potential. 19.5/20 points.

2016 Devium Mourvèdre, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard ($34) - Devium is Sleight of Hand assistant winemaker Keith Johnson's project. Just bottled, it shows a ruby color and a sultry, smoky (typical of Mourvèdre) nose of raspberry, blackberry and cassis, with scents of roses, mulberry, brambles and spiced incense. The medium bodied flavors mirror the aromatics with supple, yet forceful fruits, minerals, charcoal and dryish tannins. To be reviewed in February. 19/20 points.

2016 Sleight of Hand Cellars "The Illusionist" Red Wine, Columbia Valley - To be bottled in June, this displayed a deep ruby color and an intriguing nose blackberry, cherry, plum, cassis, rose petals, mulberry, mint and incense. The flavors are full bodied and well endowed, with notes of licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and minerals. The back picks up roasted berries and nuts, toffee and graphite, followed by a long, long ripe tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

2016 Time & Direction "Old School" Syrah, Columbia Valley, Solaksen Vineyard ($36) - This is Alleromb assistant winemaker Steve Well's project. From part of the Lawerence Vineyard in the Frenchman Hills and fermented with 5% Viognier, this showed an inky purple-ruby color and an intense, unmistakable Syrah one of wild blackberries, blueberries, cassis, black roses, tobacco garrigue and violets. The flavors are deep and well structured with notes of chocolate, coffee and minerals. Being sold as futures, with release in May. 19/20 points.

2016 Ardor Cellars "Quaternarium" Syrah, Columbia Valley - Brandon Kubrock's plan is to make this the winery's flagship wine and produce less of the single vineyard bottling. A combination of Lawrence, Den Hoed, Red Heaven and Stoney Vine vineyards, this shows a deep crimson-ruby color and a rich, spicy nose of dark wild fruits - blackberries, blueberries, black currants - with scents of roses, tobacco, garrigue and incense. The flavors are well packed and multi layered, with notes of licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals, followed by a long, complex finish. 19.5/20 points.

2016 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Lewis Vineyard - Semi opaque ruby colored, this possesses an intense, classic nose of blackberry, cherry, plum, cassis, black roses, mulberry, tobacco, cedar, olive and incense. The flavors are deep and penetrating, with layers of dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and minerals, followed by a lengthy, deftly naked satiny tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2016 Aluvé Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, Lewis Vineyard - Blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this shows a brick red color and a lovely, perfumed nose of raspberry, cherry and currant, with scents of red roses, mulberry, red lilac, olive and sage. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with supple medium bodied yet deep and focused red fruits, underlain with licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee and minerals. The back picks up pressed berries and roasted nuts, followed by a sweet-dry Tuscan like finish. 19/20 points.

2016 Aluvé Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley - The Menozzi Vineyard produced enough Merlot in 2016 to produce a varietal bottling. It shows a crimson-ruby color and lovely floral aromas of wild berries, cherries and plums, with scents of red roses, mulberry and wet stone. The flavors are pleasingly bright and ample, yet focused, with underpinnings of licorice, cocoa, French roast and varietal minerality. With ripe, silky tannins and a long complex finish, this will be a real beauty. 19+/20 points.

 

 

 

Details

In the past couple of months, there has been a lot going on in the wine scene in Walla Walla. Here's the latest news.

Cayuse Recalls 2015 Wines

One of the biggest stories has been the announcement that Cayuse Vineyards will not be releasing most of its 2015 reds. Apparently, there were defective corks that were used in bottling a large batch of 2015s. The defect was not due to TCA, the most usual defect, but the paraffin coating on the corks. It is not unusual to use coated corks for bottle closures. The coating helps make sliding the corks into and out of the bottle necks easier. What is unusual, though, is the excessive amount of paraffin on the corks Cayuse used. The result has been described as an oily film on the wines which clearly detracted from the product. This discovery led to the decision to not release the affected wines. This is a great disappointment as the Cayuse 2015's were outstanding at the winery's barrel sample tasting last April. It is to Cristophe Baron's highest credit that the wines are not being released.

Walla Walla Lands the 2018 Wine Bloggers Conference

For the second time in less than a decade. Walla Walla has been selected as the venue for the Annual Wine Bloggers Conference. The Conference will be held October 4-7 at the Marcus Whitman Conference Center. It will be a joint effort of Visit Walla Walla, the tourism agency, and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, the winery industry association.  

Billo Naravane Named Master of Wine

Recently, Billo Naravane, co-owner and winemaker of Rasa Vineyards, has been named a Master of Wine, a high honor held by only 369 persons in the world. He recently went to London to be inducted into the organization. His Research Thesis topic was "Anthrocynanin Sequestration." Billo is also winemaker for Sinclair Estate Vineyards. See the December issue of the Review of Washington Wines for reviews of Rasa Vineyards' fall Releases. The Sinclair Estate wines will be in the January 2018 issue. Congratulations to Billo!

Côtes de Ciel Opens a Tasting Room in Downtown Walla Walla

The Côtes de Ciel winery opened its tasting room on the corner of East Rose and Second Avenue in conjunction with G Cuneo Cellars in November. The Estate bottled wines come from the Holmes Family's Ciel du Coeval Vineyard on Red Mountain. The winemaker is Richard Holmes. The current Côtes de Ciel releases will be reviewed in the January issue.

Gordy Venneri Retires from Walla Walla Vintners

Three weeks ago, Gordy Venneri retired as co-owner of Walla Walla Vintners on the Mill Creek Road east of Walla Walla. He and Myles Anderson started the winery in 1995, after making their own wine while on the faculty of the Walla Walla Community College. Anderson sold his interest in the winery in February 2017 to Scott Halladay of Portland. Then, just recently it was announced that Gordy would be departing as well. Best wishes to Gordy upon his retirement, a reward well deserved.

Todd Bernave and Jason Fox to Partner at Lagana Cellars

Yesterday, it was announced that Todd Bernave, formerly assistant winemaker at Walla Walla Vintners, is joining Jason Fox at Lagana Cellars. Todd's press release states, "It was my privilege and honor to work under Walla Walla wine legends Miles Anderson and Gordy Venneri for almost a decade. Their knowledge and guidance helped forge my love of wine and for that, I will always be thankful. I look forward to the challenges this opportunity affords, and I couldn't ask for a better partner than Mr. Jason Fox." This looks like a win, win situation for both partners. Watch for reviews of Lagana Cellars' "Nox Perpetual" wines in the January issue.

Time & Direction to Debut Soon

Steve Wells new personal project, Time & Direction Wines, will be debuting during the Walla Walla Valley Holiday Barrel Weekend, December 1-2. The wines will be previewed at M & L Productions (the location of Aryn Morell Wines, at which Steve is assistant winemaker) on 1489 West Rose Street. For more information, go to www.timeanddirectionwines.com. I will be attending the preview and will be reporting on it next week.

 

 

 

  1. Tasting Archetypes of Region and Variety
  2. A Tasting of All Fourteen Washington AVAs
  3. The 2017 Fall Release Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley
  4. Recommendations for Walla Walla Fall Release