New Developments in the Wine Industry
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
For the new year, there have been new developments in the wine industry that are significant. Here are some of them. More developments will be reported in the future, as they become public knowledge.
Heather Unwin now New Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance Director
January 3rd was Heather Unwin's first day as the new Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, an organization representing most of the wineries in the valley. She was picked after a search which took nearly six months after the death of the previous Director, Duane Wollmuth, from a heart attack on July 11. Heather's previous experience has been Executive Director of the Red Mountain AVA Alliance for three and a half years. She also has taught wine marketing at the Walla Walla Community College's Institute for Viticulture and Enology. The selection of Heather Unwin as Director will be a great fit. A few years ago, I participated in a wine evaluation group with her and found her to be astute and knowledgable about wine.
Co Dinn Winery Building a New Facility in Sunnyside
Coman - "Co" - Dinn started work on his new winemaking facility at a historic building in Sunnyside. His winery has been producing wine at the Yakima Valley Community College's Enology School in Grandview. The new winery will be opened this Spring. See the July 2016 issue of the Review of Washington Wines for reviews of the Co Dinn wines.
Bouchon Park Development Taking Shape in Walla Walla
Last Fall, at an open house, Michael Corliss (Corliss and Tranche Wineries) previewed Bouchon Park, his new pair of wine warehouses and production spaces, comprising 84,000 and 140,000 square feet, on Middle Waitsburg Road, north of Walla Walla. There will be spaces for wine storage, shipping docks, barrel storage, and winemaking. One lead tenant is the Mark Ryan Winery which will lease warehouse space. Other tenants are being lined up and will announced as time goes on. The facilities are state of the art, with rigid insulation to combat moisture, an enemy of winemaking cleanliness.
Neil Johnston New Winemaker at Dumas Station
Late last summer, Neil Johnston, a graduate of the Walla Walla Community College's Institute for Viticulture and Enology, found a new job at the Dumas Station Winery, a few miles south of Dayton. After a job search as far away as Wenatchee, he found the perfect place right near his home in Dayton. He is working with winery owners, Jay DeWitt and Doug Harvey. Current releases will be reviewed in the March issue of the Review of Washington Wines.
Marcus Rafanelli Now Teaching at the Walla Walla Community College
Another Institute for Viticulture and Enology, Marcus Rafanelli, has come back to Walla Walla as an enology instructor at WWCC. After winemaking and exploration stints around the world - Woodinville (at William Church) California, Australia, Germany, Italy - Marcus has gone full circle. Asked by the Enology department director, Tim Donahue, to take on the teaching position, Marcus called it his "dream job." We are sure it will be.
More later!
Looking Ahead to 2017
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
After a record 2016 grape harvest, what's ahead for the Washington wine industry for 2017? Some changes have already taken place, some will be announced in the new year. These will be the topic of next week's blog.
Now, here are my predictions for 2017:
More Consolidation and Ownership Changes
The buyout of the McClellans' Seven Hills Winery by the Crimson Wine Group of California signaled a growing interest by outside investors in Washington wineries. There will be more investments and mergers ahead in the future.
More Small Wineries
This year saw the launching of new wineries such as The Walls and Aluvé in Walla Walla, Tetrahedron in the Columbia Gorge, Co Dinn in the Yakima Valley and others. More will be on the way.
More New AVAs
In the past couple of years, we've seen new American Viticultural Areas come into being - The Rocks of Milton-Freewater, Ancient Lakes and the Lewis-Clark Valley. Candidates for new AVAs include the Frenchman Hills near Othello, The Royal Slope near Royal City, and the South Ridge of the Walla Walla Valley, from the Ferguson Vineyard (L'Ecole No. 41) to Southwind (Cadaretta) to McQueen (Doubleback) whose basaltic wind blown terroir is highly distinctive.
More Growth in Seattle Wineries
South Seattle has become a Mecca for wineries and tasting rooms, a boom that has been propelled by Charles Smith's large new facility in Georgetown. There will be more to come as wineries explore new opportunities.
More Respect for Washington Wines
Last, but not least, of these predictions is more press and interest in Washington wines. Articles such as the Wine Spectator write-up on Cayuse is evidence of this. Watch for increasing interest in Washington state wines and ones from the contiguous cross border AVAs.
More Later! Happy New Year!
Best Wine Buys of 2016
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Listed below are the wines reviewed in 2016 scoring 19/20 points for $40 a bottle or less and wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 a bottle or less. They are listed in the order in which they were reviewed. This is the largest listing of Best Buys yet, a testimony to the increasing number of exceptional Washington wines which are excellent values as well. Some wines listed are sold out.
Wines Scoring 19/20 Points for $40 or Less
2014 Basel Cellars Semillon, Walla Walla Valley, Double River Vineyard ($32) - January
2012 Basel Cellars Carmenère, Columbia Valley ($36) - January
2009 Basel Cellars "Inspired" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - January
2013 Kerloo Cellars Malbec, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - January
2013 Kerloo Cellars Grenache, Wehluke Slope, Upland Vineyard ($40) - January
2012 Three Rivers Syrah, Walla Walla Valley $39) - January
2012 Three Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard ($39) - January
2013 Eight Bells Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($35) - January
2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Cold Creek Vineyard ($32) - January
2012 Nota Bene Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Heart of the Hill Vineyard ($40) - February
2011 Tranche Cellars Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard ($40) - February
2011 Tranche Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard ($40) - February
2012 Canoe Ridge Malbec, Wahluke Slope, Doval Vineyard ($40) - February
2013 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($40) - February
2012 Baer "Ursa" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($39) - February
2009 Barnard Griffin Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($40) - March
2013 Bookwalter Double Plot Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner Lee Vineyard ($38) - March
2012 Nota Bene Cellars Red Wine, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($40) - March
2012 Nota Bene Cellars Syrah, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($40) - March
2013 Mansion Creek Cellars Field Blend, Red Mountain ($34) - March
2013 Cadaretta Syrah, Columbia Valley ($35) - March
2011 Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($40) - March
2013 Structure Cellars "Foundation" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($38) - April
2012 Tertulia Cellars Carmenère, Horse Heaven Hills, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($40) - April
2013 El Corazon "Veni Vidi Vici" Mourvèdre, Walla Walla Valley, Birch Creek Vineyard ($40) - April
2013 Isenhower Syrah, Yakima Valley, Dutchman Vineyard ($34) - April
2014 Ardor Cellara Mourvedre, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($40) - April
2014 Numbskull "GSM" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($32) - April
2014 Numbskull "BDX" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - April
2013 Walla Faces "Fusion" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($40) - April
2013 Avennia "Justine" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - May
2013 Walla Walla Vintners "Bello Rosso" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($38) - May
2013 Kerloo Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard ($40) - May
2013 Otis Kenyon Malbec, Washington, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($40) - May
2013 Otis Kenyon Careener, Washington, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($40) - May
2013 Convergence Zone "Mistral" Grenache, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($29) - May
2014 Domaine J. Mauret "Le Pacte" Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Jewett Creek Vineyard ($30) - May
2014 Domaine J. Meuret "Clos Pierre" Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, White Salmon Vineyard ($35) - May
2013 Domaine J. Meuret "Les Chenes" Pinot Noir, Oregon, Phelps Creek Vineyard ($40) - May
2013 Maison Bleue "Voyageur" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - May
2013 Maison Bleue "Coureur de Bois" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - May
2013 Maison Bleue "Bourgeois" Grenache, Columbia Valley ($40) - May
2013 Tero Estates "ST" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($38) - May
2013 Waters "Tremolo" Red Wine, Washington ($40) - May
2013 Helix "SoRho" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - June
2014 àMaurice Cellars Grenache, Columbia Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($38) - June
2014 Clearwater Canyon Estate Syrah, Lewis-Clark Valley, Umiker Vineyard ($28) - June
2013 Clearwater Canyon "Selway" Red Wine, Lewis-Clark Valley ($38) - June
2013 DeLille Cellars Doyenne "AIX" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($39) - July
2012 Guardian Cellars "The Alibi" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($39) - July
2013 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - July
2014 Annalema Gewurztramier, Columbia Gorge, Atavus Vineyard ($27) - August
2014 Annalema Gewurtztraminer, Columbia Gorge, Oak Ridge Vineyard ($27) - August
2013 Annalema Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Oak Ridge Vineyard ($36) - August
2012 Lauren Ashton "Estelle" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - August
2013 Cuillin Hills "Instigator" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($40) - August
2014 Savage Grace Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($38ers) - August
2013 Foundry Vineyards Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($36) - August
2015 Rotie Cellars Southern White, Washington ($32) - August
2013 Nefarious Cellars Estate Syrah, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($35) - September
2013 Fidelitas Red Mountain Malbec ($40) - September
2015 Mark Ryan Viognier, Columbia Valley ($30) - September
2014 Mark Ryan "Dissident" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($38) - September
2015 Rotie Cellars Northern White Marsanne, Washington ($32) - September
2015 Rotie Cellars Grenache Blanc, Washington ($32) - September
2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($36) - October
2013 Three Rivers Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($39) - October
2013 Tero Estates "DC3" Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - October
2014 March Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($30) - October
2014 Nefarious Cellars Estate Malbec, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($35) - October
2012 Eight Bells "David's Block" Red Wine, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($35) - October
2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Cold Creek Vineyard ($36) - October
2015 Avennia "Silane" Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley ($28) - November
2013 Camaraderie Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Dionysus Vineyard ($40) - November
2013 Camaraderie Cellars Grâce Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($37.50) - November
2015 àMaurice Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner Lee Vineyard ($32) - November
2014 àMaurice Cellars Malbec, Columbia Valley, Gamache Vineyard ($38) - November
2013 Balboa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Eidolon Vineyard ($40) - November
2012 Robert Karl Cellars "The Phinny" Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills ($36) - December
2012 Robert Karl Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Gunselman Bench Vineyard ($36) - December
2013 Barrister Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard ($35) - December
N/V Barrister "Barrister's Block" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($39) - December
2013 Walla Walla Vintners Carmenere, Red Mountain, Heart of the Hill Vineyard ($38) - December
2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard ($35) - December
2014 Seven Hills Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Vineyard ($35) - December
2014 Isenhower Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley, Dutchman Vineyard ($34) - December
2014 Corvus Cellars Petit Verdot, Red Mountain ($35) - December
2014 Corvus Cellars Estate Malbec, Red Mountain ($40) - December
2014 The Walls "Lip Stinger" Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard ($38) - December
Wines Scoring 18.5/20 Points for $25 or Less
2011 Eight Bells Merlot, Red Mountain ($25) - January
2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, Canoe Ridge Vineyard ($24) - January
2014 Nine Hats Riesling, Columbia Valley ($24) - January
2013 Nine Hats Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - January
2013 Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($25) - January
2013 Nine Hats Malbec, Columbia Valley ($25) - January
2014 Seven Hills "Old Vines" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($15) - January
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills ($28) - January
2013 Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley, Cold Creek Vineyard ($18) - January
2012 Nota Bene Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - February
2012 Nota Bene Cellars Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley ($25) - February
2014 Gilbert Cellars Riesling, Yakima Valley ($20) - February
2014 Gilbert Cellars Gewurtztraminer, Yakima Valley ($20) - February
2014 Barnard Griffin Roussanne, Columbia Valley ($20) - March
2014 Barnard Griffin Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($23) - March
2014 Alexandria Nicole "Shepherd's Mark" White Wine, Horse Heaven Hills ($24) - March
2013 Clearwater Canyon Cellars "Renaissance" Red Wine, Washington-Idaho ($23) - March
2012 Chateau Ste. Michelle "Indian Wells" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($20) - March
2014 Northwest Wine Academy Chardonnay, Yakima Valley ($19) - May
2013 Northwest Wine Academy Red Wine, Red Mountain ($24) - May
2015 Northwest Wine Academy Riesling, Columbia Valley ($19) - May
2014 Kevin White Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($19) - May
2014 Walla Walla Vintners Dolcetto, Walla Walla Valley, Dwelley Vineyard ($24) - May
2014 Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($25) - May
2014 Convergence Zone "Dewpoint" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($17) - May
2014 Convergence Zine "Drizzle" Pinot Gris, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($19) - May
2014 Convergence Zine "Sunbreak" Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($19) - May
2015 Kerloo Cellars Grenache Blanc, Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Vineyard ($20) - June
2015 Kerloo Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($22) - June
2015 Ardor Cellars White Blend, Columbia Valley, Lawrence Vineyard ($25) - June
2015 Ardor Cellars White Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Los Oidos Vineyard ($25) - June
2015 L'Ecole No. 41 "Old Vine" Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($14) - June
2012 Gamache Vintners Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($25) - July
2014 Forgeron Cellars Façon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($25) - July
2015 Savage Grace Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($25) - August
2015 Hard Row to Hoe "Rumors" White Wine, Lake Chelan ($25) - September
2015 Cairdeas Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, Bouhshey Vineyard ($24) - September
2015 Amavi Cellars Semillon, Walla Walla Valley ($24) - September
2015 Nefarious Cellars Pinot Grigio, Lake Chelan, Peterson Vineyard ($20)- September
2015 Nefarious Cellars Viognier, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($20) - September
2015 Nefarious Cellars Riesling, Columbia Valley, Rocky Mother Vineyard ($20) - September
2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($21) - October
2015 Hard Row to Hoe White Heritage, Lake Chelan ($25) -October
2015 Hard Row to Hoe Gewürztraminer, Lake Chelan ($25) - October
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle- Dr. Loosen "Erioca" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($22) - October
2015 Long Shadows "Poet's Leap" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($20) - October
2015 Wind Rose Cellars Primitivo, Columbia Valley, Stone Tree Vineyard ($25) - November
2015 Buty Semillon-Sauvignon-Muscadelle, Columbia Valley ($25) - November
2015 Eight Bells Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($25) - November
2015 Eight Bells Marquette, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($25) - November
2015 Eight Bells Merlot, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($25) - November
2014 Avennia "Les Trouvés" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - November
2015 Barrister Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($19) - December
2013 Robert Karl Cellars "Claret" Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills ($22) - December
N/V Treveri Blanc de Noirs Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($20) - December
Top Wines of 2016
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Below is a listing of the top scoring wines of 2016 in the Review of Washington Wines, ones scoring 20/20 and 19.5/20 points. They are listed in the order of reviewing.
Wines Scoring 20/20 Points
2012 Rasa Vineyards "in Order to form a more perfect Union" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($95) - January
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Stonessece" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($100) - January
2013 Upchurch Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($68) - March
2013 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($50) - May
2012 Andrew Will "Sorella" Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard ($83) - May
2013 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($65) - May
2012 DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Grand Ciel Vineyard ($160) - July
2012 Tero Estates Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($95) - December
Wines Scoring 19.5/20 Points
2012 Rasa Vineyards "Principia" Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - January
2012 Rasa Vineyards "Plus One" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyard ($75) - January
2012 Rasa Vineyards "Creative Impulse" Red Wine, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($95) - January
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "In the Rocks" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - January
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "The Contender" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - January
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Foothills Reserve" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - January
2012 Northstar "Premier" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($85) - January
2010 Tero Estates "Hill Block" Cabernet Sauvignon ($53) - January
2013 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($72) - February
2013 Owen Roe "1973 Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($72) - February
2013 Charles Smith "Broncho" Malbec, Washington State ($70) - February
2012 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Loess Vineyard ($50) - March
2013 L'Ecole No. 41 "Perigee" Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($54) - April
2013 Woodward Canyon "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($99) - April
2013 Avennia "Sestina" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - May
2013 Betz Family Winery "La Serene" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($55) - May
2013 Betz Family Winery "Clos de Betz" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($55) - May
2011 Tero Estates "Plateau Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($55) - May
2011 Tero Estates Nebbiolo, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($64) - May
2013 Seven Hills Reserve Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Vineyard ($45) - May
2013 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Illusionist" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($52) - May
2014 Adams Bench "Ursula" Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($52) -May
2014 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - June
2013 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - June
2012 FIGGINS Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - June
2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($89) - June
2013 Co Dinn Chardonnay, Snipes Mountain, Rosekamp Vineyard ($45) - June
2013 Co Dinn Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Painted Hills Vineyard ($60) - July
2013 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Red Wine, Red Mountain ($80) - July
2013 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill Red Wine, Snipes Mountain ($90) - July
2012 JM Cellars Founder's Reserve Red Wine, Red Mountain ($90) - July
2014 Rotie Cellars Northern Red, Walla Walla Valley ($48) - August
2013 Nefarious Cellars Estate Syrah, Rocky Mother Vineyard, Columbia Valley ($45) - September
2012 Col Solare Red Wine, Red Mountain ($75) - September
2010 Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($110) - September
2011 Tero Estates "Old Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($57) - October
2014 Ardor Cellars "Quaternarium" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($70) - October
2014 Rotie Cellars "Swordfight" Syrah, Washington State ($65) - October
2014 Rotie Cellars "dre" Mouredre, Washington State ($65) - October
2014 Rotie Cellars "little g" Grenache, Washington State ($65) - October
2013 Pepper Bridge "Trine" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($90) - October
2014 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($50) - November
2013 Owen Roe Union Gap Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($85) - November
2012 àMaurice Cellars "Artist's Series" McCool Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($40) - November
2014 The Walls "Gaspard" Syrah, Red Mountain ($46) - December
2014 The Walls "Ramparts" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($46) December
2014 Long Shadows "Saggi" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($50) - December
2014 Long Shadows "Pedestal" Merlot, Columbia Valley ($65) - December
2014 Long Shadows "Pirouette" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($60) - December
2014 Long Shadows "Feather" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($60) - December
2014 Long Shadows "Sequel" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($60) - December
2013 Tranche Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($45) - December
2014 Seven Hills "Pentad" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - December
2014 Gramercy Cellars "The Deuce" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($54) - December
2014 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Psychedelic" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($60) - December
2011 Corliss Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($75) - December
2011 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($85) - December
Coming Up:
Thursday December 22 - The January 2017 issue of the Review of Washington Wines
Review Blog: Best Wine Buys of 2016 - Wines scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less and wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less.
Thursday, December 29 - Looking Ahead to 2017
Thursday, January 5 - New Developments in the Wine Industry
Holiday Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
The weekend of December 2-4 was Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. Most wineries and tasting rooms were decorated with festive holiday decor. Also, many poured barrel samples of their future releases from the 2015 and 2014 vintages. Here's a run down of what I tasted.
2015 Saviah Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Estate Vineyard - Co-fermented with a bit of Viognier, this wine from the Rocks showed a deep ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, lavender and incense. The flavors were thick and meaty with distinct Rocks minerality. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts and charcoal, followed by a rich, spicy finish. 19.5/20 points.
2015 Saviah Cellars Walla Walla Valley, Watermill Vineyard - One third foot stomped, this Syrah showed a deep crimson color and a rich nose of wild fruits - blackberry, pomegranate, cassis - with scents of orange peel, garrigue and incense. The flavors were thick and chewy, with notes of licorice, cocoa and earthy minerals. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, leather, mocha and burnt charcoal, followed by a long chewy tannin finish. 19/20 points.
2015 Sleight of Had Cellars "Levitation" Syrah, Columbia Valley - Composed of 70% Lewis and 30% Les Collines and 30% whole cluster fermented, this displayed a deep crimson color and an intense perfumed nose of wild fruits, roses, mulberry, tobacco, violets and white incense. The flavors were mouth encompassing and lavish, replete with minerals, licorice and coffee, and pressed berries and creme de cassis on the back, followed by a long smooth tannin finish. 19+/20 points, possibly 19.5.
2015 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Summit View Vineyard Block K1 - Deep crimson colored, this possessed a wonderfully perfumed nose of blackberries, cherries, plums, cassis, crushed roses, sweet pea flowers, sweet tobacco, sandalwood and violets. The flavors, as well, were seductive, with layers of lavish yet focused dark fruits, underlain with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and Rocks minerals. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, graphite and integrated oak (50% new French) on the way to a complex savory ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2015 Aluvé Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley - Here, JJ and Kelly Menozzi have turned out a highly promising Cabernet. Deep ruby-crimson colored, it exited seductive aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, cassis, crushed roses, cedar, tobacco and violets. The flavors were lavish, yet focused, underlain with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and loamy minerals. The back picked up macerated berries, roasted walnuts, mocha, toast oak, followed by a ripe yet firm tannins. 19+/20 points.
2015 Aluvé Winery Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley - This promises to be a real gem. It showed a crimson color and a perfumed nose of raspberry, cherry, cassis, crushed roses, sweet pea flowers, sweet tobacco and violets. The flavors, as well, were alluring, with notes of red licorice, cocoa powder, French roast and loess minerals, followed by pressed berries, framboise and kirsch liqueurs, graphite and toasty oak, all gliding into a velvety, yet well delineated finish. 19+, possibly 19.5/20 points.
2015 Tero Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - This looks to be a very nice Merlot. It showed a deep ruby color and a smoky nose of raspberries, cherries, black plums, black roses, mulberry, tobacco and incense. The flavors were supple, yet deep and focused, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and distinct minerality. The back revealed sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, toffee, mocha and graphite, followed by a ripe grainy tannin finish that smooths out at the end. 19+/20 points.
2014 Tero Estates Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - A vineyard field blend, this showed a deep purplish color and a rich, smoky nose of blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors mirrored the aromatics with rich flavors that were underlain with licorice, cocoa, French roast and distinct minerality. The chewy textured back showed notes of pressed berries, nougat, mocha and oak, followed by a long, smooth tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2014 Waters Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley - Mostly from the Cold Creek Vineyard, this promises to be a real beauty. Semi opaque ruby colored, it possessed an intense, earthy nose of blackberries, cherries, black plums, crashed black roses, mulberry, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors were thick and bold, yet refined, underlain with black licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and alluvial minerals, followed by roasted berries and walnuts, toffee, mocha and charcoal pencil, all leading into a savory, spiced finish. 19+, possibly 19.5/20 points.
2015 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This blend was made with Chris and Cameron Kontos' Dad, Cliff, the Boss. It showed a deep ruby-crimson color and a rich, berried nose of raspberries, cherries, plums, black roses, tobacco, cedar and violets. The flavors were generous and supple, yet focused, with notes of licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back picked pressed berries, kirsch and framboise liqueurs, followed by a long, slightly nutted finish. 19+/20 points.
2014 Kontos Cellars "Progeny" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This tribute to the Kontos kids, showed a deep crimson-ruby color and enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cherries and plums, with scents of roses, mulberry, tobacco,, cedar and incense. The flavors mirrored the aromatics with thick, fleshy, focused dark fruits, intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and loam and gravel earth. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, mocha and graphite, followed by a spice and herb dusted long finish. 19+/20 points.
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