Top Wines of 2017

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 11 December 2017

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

Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting 2016's

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 05 December 2017

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.

Walla Walla Wine News Roundup

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 29 November 2017

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.

Tasting Archetypes of Region and Variety

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 21 November 2017

On Sunday, November 19, thirteen SOBs (Sons of Bacchus) assembled with two daughters of Dionysus for a tasting of  wines representing "Archetypes of Region and Variety." It was an interesting tasting, partly a guessing game as to what each wine was, all being served blind, as well as a ranking of tasters' preferences. Here's what we had, in order of tasting, with my note, scores and comments.

First, there was a flight of four white wines which turned out to be the following.

2014 E. Guigal Saint Joseph Blanc - This comes from a North Rhone appellation just south of Côte Rotie, produced from Marsanne and Roussanne. It showed a brilliant gold color and aromas of peach and citrus. The flavors were full bodied and rich, flinty, almost austere. 19/20 points. It was my favorite of the four whites and I guessed it was a Rhone white which was correct.

2009 Konnigsaard Chardonnay, Napa Valley - This was decidedly different from the other whites, I guessed a rather oaky White Burgundy, with a rich, almost smoky nose and intriguing, piercing oriental flavors. 19/20 points. This could be considered an Archetype of Napa Chardonnay with some age.

2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé - The pinkish copper color of this wine was a give away and nearly everyone guessed Bandol. It showed classic aromas of raspberry and orange peel with dry, precise flavors from beginning to end. Tempier is considered the best producer. 19/20 points.

2015 Stephane Ogier Condrieu, Cuvée Vernon - This North Rhone Viognier also stood out, Lemon gold colored and highly aromatic with floral aromas. The flavors were laser like, flinty and saline with a long dry finish. My second favorite. 19+/20 points. I did not correctly identify this wine.

The whites were followed by a flight of five reds.

2013 John Duval "Eligo" Shiraz, Barossa Valley - The inky color and intense aromas of dark fruits, tobacco and bacon suggested a Syrah or a Priorat to me. It turned out to be Australian, with a minerally, tightly structured character. 19/20 points. Duval's wines are considered Archetypes of Barossa Shiraz. This was brought by Gilles Nicault who works with Duval on the Long Shadows Sequel Syrah.

2009 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte Rôtie - This is produced by Guigal all from Domaine grapes. Deep ruby-coffee colored with intense aromas and loads of dark, complex fruits and a long finish, I guessed this to be a Côte Rôtie. 19.5/20 points. My second choice in the flight. I took this wine, recalling a visit to Guigal in 2014.

2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Stonessence" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - With a brick red color,  a rich, earthy nose of raspberry and cherry, and deep, penetrating velours flavors, I mistook this for a Grand Cru Burgundy. 19.5/20 points. Kevin Pogue brought this and put it into a Cabernet bottle to throw tasters off, but I didn't notice the shape. My first choice, with Guigal close.

2008 Pe Franco Monastrell, Jumilla - Monastrell is the Catalan name for Mourvèdre. It showed a deep color and smoky aromas of semi dried fruits, with a fleshy, minerally texture. I mistook it for a South Rhone with some age such as a Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape. 19+/20 points.

2012 Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino - Deep ruby colored with a smoke and dust nose and minerally dried cherry flavors and sturdy tannins, I pegged this as Italian but couldn't decide if it was Barolo or Brunello. 19/20 points. 

The second flight of reds consisted of the following.

2014 Etna Rosso (forgot name of producer) - This comes from the volcanic slopes below Mount Etna in Sicily, made from the indigenous Novello grape. It showed a medium ruby color and intriguing aromas of strawberry, cherry, anise, orange peel with velvety sweet-dry fruit flavors and a a satiny tannin finish. It was hard to identify, being from not well known DOC. I guessed Châteauneuf du Pape from the minerally character. 19/20 points.

2008 Produttori di Barbaresco Cru Rabaja - This showed a deep ruby color and a smoky, nose of semi dried fruits, tobacco and coffee with deep somewhat tannic flavors. While it was quite estimable, it did not come on as archetypical as some of the top producers. 19/20 points.

2010 Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape - Beaucastel is considered one of the archetypical producers. This showed a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruits, tobacco, and coffee with thick mouth filling flavors that showed distinct mas (cobblestone) character. I correctly identified it as CdP. 19+/20 points.

2014 Domaine Rostaing "Ampechum" Côte Rôtie - Rostaing is a highly respected producer. It displayed a deep ruby color and a smoky tobacco, cedar and sandalwood nose and deep, direct and well structured flavors that showed considerable refinement. I identified it as a young Côte Rôtie. 19+/20 points.

2002 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - Semi opaque colored, this wine possessed intense aromas of dark fruits, mushroom, tobacco, cedar and dried roses. The dark maturing fruit flavors were intense and focused, with a hedonistic finish. I thought it might be a Medoc such as a Pauillac or St. Julien. 19/20 points. The Caymus Special Selection is famous as an Archetypical Napa Cabernet.

Finally, Philippe Michel brought a Port served blind.

1995 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Quinta de Vargellas - This showed a deep ruby color and a rich, aromatic nose of orange peel and old wood. The flavors were thick and chewy, not too sweet, with a long, complex finish. I guessed it to be a vintage Port from the mid 1990's. Quinta de Vargellas is bottled in vintages not declared. 19+/20 points.

Thanks to Billo Naravane for organizing the SOB tastings and to Jamie Kennedy for hosting what turned out to be a memorable tasting.