Walla Walla Day 2
Tasted Friday, October 29, 2010 by manonthemoon with 827 views
Breakfast and coffee at Walla Walla Roasters, by far the best espresso of the trip. Always impressed by their special roastss and coffees. Lunch was at Andrae's Kitchen foodtruck which was awesome. We had ran into Andrae in Sleight of Hand the day before and then at the Vintage Cellar while having a beer after a long day of tasting and he, as well as the rest of the patron's including Mr. Funk of Saviah, had convinced us to come by for lunch the next day stating he had the best burger in the area. This did not disappoint with pickled green tomatoes and saracha to boot, it was excellent, even without the fried sweet onions that commonly adorn the burger. The wife had the pork tacos which were excellent as well. This is a must stop for lunch when out tasting.
Unfortunately we arrived an hour prior to the tasting room being open due to a lack of attention to the posted times, but the staff was nice enough to let us in to try through their wines. The staff was great, but nothing really stood out other than the rieslings which were both terrific. We didn't get to try any of the upper tier Lewis vineyard wines that I have really enjoyed in the past two visits.
Our second trip to this winery and we came away with a better sense of their wines this time around. We were the first people to come in for the day and were given a small tour of the facility while harvest was still going on. Have to point out that playing a little TV on the Radio never hurts to improve my mood. Merlot is the star here and it did not disappoint, was definately toeing the line of being over the top with the Walla Walla version, but didn't step across it for my palate. Plus the decent amount of new oak kept it in check.
Another good visit with K, was really happy to see Keith from Saviah wife was still working with Charles. She tasted us through the lineup which also included the Kung Fu girl, but we didn't have any notes on the wine for some reason, remembered it was kind of meh, but decent for the price I guess. The Creator as changed percentages from these three vineyards now being used cailloux/Morrison/Stoneridge, I think the Cayuse fruit is now a little less prominent in the profile as Charles was wanting the Ovide and the Roma to show those characteristics. Also it seems like there has been a "lighter-handed" style of winemaking than the past 3 vintages that I have tasted. This seemed to show more fruit, but less oak which I really enjoyed this time through. Hopefully this persists and is just not a vintage related change.
We were supposed to meet Mr. Funk at the winery at 1:00 pm, but he was busy running errands for harvest and what not. We tasted through a lineup with the tasting staff on hand and then recieved a tour of the harvest area, tasted a little bit of the 2010 juice, including a great 100% PV, and got to see the newer barrel room. Really a nice visit, plus we were sent away with a bottle of the Une Valle wine to boot.
We are always impressed with this winery's layout and incredible artwork over the tasting bar, that actually adorns the current vintage of the 21 Grams. The lineup was solid, but made in a very forward, heavy on the new oak style.
After setting up a tasting appointment with Brendan, the assistant winemaker, we were treated with Greg, the winemaker, actually being present to taste through his lineup out on the stone patio. Admittedly I was really looking forward to this visit as I have had a few of his wines before and was really impressed due to his high acid, low alcohol style that he brings to the table. Greg being a former sommolier was amazing to talk to for the 45 minutes we were there and was more than comfortable to talk about everything from Cru Beaujolais to Austrian whites to his visit to Tablas Creek to discuss CDP blends. He was even nice enough to let us taste a barrel sample of cinsault that will be going into the Third Man and it was amazing to see how it is a filler grape that just seems to have a very large midpalate present. We were really impressed with the entire lineup and how they are so different from most of the wines produced in the area.
We stepped into the Vintage Cellar for another drink after tasting since we had some time prior to dinner at Saffron. Saffron was good, but not a great as I had recalled our other visit. I did enjoy the Foie Gras and my wifes appetizer was excellent as well, but the flatbreads were a little disappointing this time around as it seems like they have switched up the recipie somewhat. Still really good and worth the price, but last time the lamb one was amazing. Overall a good meal worth the money spent.
2007 Dunham Cellars Four Legged White 85 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Nose of pear with a little minerality.
Very dry style on the palate with pear and a good amount of acid.
Simple wine.
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2009 Dunham Cellars Chardonnay Shirley Mays Lewis Vineyard 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose of yellow apple, apricot.
Palate of apple, pear, with good creaminess and minerality.
Good balanced chard.
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2008 Dunham Cellars Riesling Lewis Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Light orange peel, peach, and minerality on the nose.
Palate of peach, a little citrus peel, and minerality.
Really nice balance between sweetness and acidity.
91-92
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2008 Dunham Cellars Three Legged Red 83 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose berry and cranberry.
Palate of red fruit, spice, pepper.
Short finish.
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2007 Dunham Cellars Trutina 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose of blueberry, and toast.
Palate of cherry, violets, vanilla bean. Good acidity for food.
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2006 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon XII 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose of cherry, green pepper, spice. Palate of cherry, plum, berries, and good minerality.
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2001 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon VII 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose of red cherry and spice.
Palate of red fruit smoke, green veggies, and spice on the finish.
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2006 Dunham Cellars Syrah 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nose of fur, game, cinamon, wood.
Palate of cranberry, bright fruit, and game on the palate.
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2008 Dunham Cellars Late Harvest Riesling Lewis Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Apricot nectar and spice.
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