Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo 2014
A first for me from cult Walla Walla producer, Christophe Baron of Cayuse Vineyards the 2014 Camaspelo expresses smoke, earth, alder wood, black olives, Pu’er tea, incense, and underbrush that burnoff like morning fog to reveal a finely-wrought structural base of blackcurrant and cassis. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with there’s a touch […]
Tendril Wine Cellars Child’s Play Columbia Valley Zinfandel 2015
An offshoot label of Tendril Wine Cellars, Child’s Play Zinfandel is sourced from the Red Heaven Vineyard at the very south end of the Red Mountain AVA, and sports an amiable profile of black fruit, black cherry, plums, incense, cinnamon, sweet tobacco, and wet terra cotta. Medium-bodied, with soft, supple tannins that are nicely delineated […]
Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Franc 2013
A rare treat tasted with Gramercy Cellars co-winemaker Brandon Moss—this was, we were told, the last remaining bottle of this limited club release—it’s a testament to the longevity of Walla Walla Valley fruit when vinified correctly, one feels that this bottle has another decade left in it. Brimming with aromas of mulberries, plums, crushed violets, […]
Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard 2015
A standout in the lineup from wines we tried from Va Piano on our recent visit to Walla Walla—Rosebud Vineyard, formerly Rosebud Ranches, as it was known when I sourced fruit from it—brought back fond memories for me as a vintner. Va Piano’s 2015 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon expresses sexy aromatics of red currant, red […]
Figgins Walla Walla Valley Estate Red 2014
Ever since I tasted the 2010 Figgins Estate Red, a remarkable and flawless vintage, I’ve come to prefer it over Leonetti, but both are crafted by Chris Figgins. For me these wines are poised, showing more restraint and complexity than I find in most Walla Walla Valley reds. The 2014 is lavishly trimmed in red […]
Locations WA-4 NV
Winemaker Dave Phinney has captured the spirit of Washington State Syrah, accented by Merlot, and Petit Sirah. His latest Locations WA-4 is rife with sumptuous blueberries, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, incense; it’s medium-bodied in the mouth with a core of sweet, juicy fruit nicely counterbalanced and bound by acidity and powdery tannins. A finish of bay […]
Otis Kenyon Syrah 2013
With a quinacridone violet core and that most classic plump, juicy Walla Walla fruit profile, the 2013 Otis Kenyon Syrah has developed nicely. Layered aromas of boysenberry and black fruit rest beneath lighter notes of lavender oil and incense—there is a lovely floral aspect that is certainly appealing. The palate is silky and round, quite […]
Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay 2015
Crafted with native yeast, 20% of which goes through malolactic fermentation, the 2015 Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay is uniform and varietally correct on the nose and palate with attractive aromas of bosc pear, yellow apple, and banana cream pudding. Crisp and bright on the palate, the acidity is slightly softened by six months of aging […]
Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2016
A household staple in the Pacific Northwest, Kung Fu Girl Riesling is crafted from sustainably farmed grapes grown in Washington State’s newest AVA, Ancient Lakes. On opening, vivid aromas of white peach, pear, lemongrass, and lemon drop lead into a wine with peppy acidity that adds lift to a white-fruited core. There’s nice length on […]
Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2015
Iconic Washington State, Boom Boom Syrah has been a go-to-brand for Pacific Northwesterners for over a decade (or at least for as long as I’ve been drinking wine). The 2015 incorporates a touch of Viognier and Grenache (less than 3% combined) and is infused with blueberry pie, blackberry cobbler, earth, Dutch cocoa powder, and a […]