Exploring the Walla Walla Valley

Walla Walla, WA
Tasted Friday, May 24, 2013 - Monday, May 27, 2013 by Jake112380 with 870 views

Flight 1 - Reininger Winery (7 Notes)

Our first stop as we drove into Walla Walla from the west. Good mix of wines and price points here.

  • 2011 Reininger Chardonnay Helix 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Light color with an apple and slightly saline nose. Honeydew melon and apple flavors are balanced by a healthy bite of acid on the finish.

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  • 2009 Reininger Merlot 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Aromas of smoke, spicebox, and black fruit. Black fruit flavor is bookended by tannins.

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  • 2007 Reininger Sangiovese Helix Stillwater Creek Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Medium red color. Red fruit and tobacco aromas precede similar flavors, followed by a long finish. Fairly pleasant.

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  • 2008 Reininger Helix SoRho Stone Tree Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

    (5/24/2013)

    Pleasant Southern Rhone blend of 42% Mourvedre, 31% Grenache, and 27% Cinsault.

    Ripe red cherries with earth and a hint of cedar on the nose. Fills the mouth with cherry and plum flavors, then moves to a full finish.

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  • 2009 Reininger Syrah 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    I smell gunpowder, forest floor, and dark cherry. Flavors are initially black fruit, but as the wine flows through the palate it develops a mineral character. Long finish. Great expression of terroir.

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  • 2009 Reininger Carménère 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Strong pepper sensory experience throughout. There's also some plum and black raspberry flavors. Would be good with some carne asada tacos or perhaps a peppercorn steak.

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  • 2003 Reininger Desiderata 93 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    An intentionally aged wine, it spent five years in oak and was only released in 2011.

    Portish aromas--think raisins, dried plums, oak, and earth. Flavors are dark fruit, and, oddly enough, soy. Long finish with just a hint of tannins.

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Flight 2 - Seven Hills Winery (6 Notes)

My wife's favorite winery. Lots of good stuff here, and tons of friendly people as well.

Flight 3 - Spring Valley Vineyard (7 Notes)

Last stop on day one. The wines are all well made, but some are priced a bit high for my tastes.

  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Merlot Mule Skinner 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Spicy nose also has some red red fruit and a hint of herbs. Flavor features cherry and oak flavors, but it's a bit harsh (tannins?). Long and slightly tannic finish. Has some potential to improve, but its hard to say for sure where this wine is going.

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  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Petit Verdot Sharilee 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Nose of lavender and gravel pit. Flavors of black cherry and earth with a touch of refreshing acid. Pleasant finish.

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  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Cabernet Franc Katherine Corkrum 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Inky purple in color. Slightly spicy nose also features dark cherry. Mix of raspberries, cherries, and black pepper on the palate. Long finish with hints of green pepper.

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  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Faint black cherry nose. Layered black fruit flavors with toasted oak notes. This merlot based Bordeaux blend is built to age.

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  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Derby 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Saline nose with notes of green olive and gravel. Big dark fruit flavors give way to tobacco nuances. Long finish. Lots of structure. I'd like to see where this wine is in five years.

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  • 2009 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Blackberry and spice box nose with similar flavors.

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  • 2010 Spring Valley Vineyard Syrah Nina Lee 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/24/2013)

    Floral nose with red fruit also present. Bright red cherry flavors built off of earthy undertones. Long and pleasant finish.

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Flight 4 - Gramercy Cellars (4 Notes)

Fun people, fun winery, great wines. And a kickass tasting room (the old Amavi room, for those of you that remember their first location).

Flight 5 - Amaurice Cellars (6 Notes)

Good stuff here, and it gets better each year.

  • 2011 ÀMaurice Cellars Viognier 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Apple, pear, and honeydew on the nose. Rich and creamy on the palate with flavors of stone fruit and whipped cream. Refreshing finish.

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  • 2010 ÀMaurice Cellars Syrah/Grenache Boushey Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Wonderfully complex nose. I got slightly herbal and floral aromas as well as vanillin and red fruit. Flavors are dried red fruit and just enough oak to balance. Long and slightly warming finish.

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  • 2009 ÀMaurice Cellars Syrah Fred Estate 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Definitely a mineral driven Syrah. Earthy/salty nose leads into a balanced mix of mineral and red berry flavors. Good structure.

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  • 2010 ÀMaurice Cellars Malbec Gamache Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    This wine needs a thick, juicy steak. Venison and lavender aromas, big and meaty on the palate with a spicy finish.

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  • 2010 ÀMaurice Cellars The Graves 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Fruit forward blend from the greater Columbia Valley. Nose of red and black berries along with earth. Tons of fruit through the palate with just a hint of oakiness. Long finish.

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  • 2009 ÀMaurice Cellars Night Owl 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    An estate blend. Still fruit forward like The Graves, but also has a faint floral aspect to the nose. Darker fruit flavors, but also meaty like a malbec. Slightly chewy finish.

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Flight 6 - Tamarack Cellars (6 Notes)

Probably my favorite Walla Walla winery in terms of QPR. The Firehouse Red is a great RTW, and the Counoise we tasted was the surprise of the trip for me.

  • 2012 Tamarack Cellars Viognier 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    This is their inaugural vintage of Viognier. Fermented all in stainless steel. Aromas of fresh mown grass and peaches flows into white nectarine flavors. The fruit is balanced by a healthy but not annoying shot of acid, which leads to a bright finish.

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  • 2012 Tamarack Cellars Mourvèdre Rosé 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

    (5/25/2013)

    Nose of strawberries and plowed earth. Pie cherry and bright acid on the palate. It's just a bit too tart to make the leap from very pleasant to superb.

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  • 2011 Tamarack Cellars Counoise Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    (5/25/2013)

    Spicy nose with tobacco and earth notes. Flavors of dark plum and blackberry with a touch of pleasant tannins. Spicy finish.

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  • 2009 Tamarack Cellars Sangiovese 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Translucent deep red color. Dried strawberry and spices on the nose foretell similar flavors. Acidity has managed to integrate quite a bit. Still begs for a hearty pasta dish.

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  • 2008 Tamarack Cellars Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    (5/25/2013)

    Smoky and meaty nose. Smooth through the palate with mostly dark berries, but also a hint of the nose. Pleasant finish. Great QPR.

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  • 2008 Tamarack Cellars Reserve Sagemoor Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    This wine is layered with tons of varied flavors. I got earth and red fruit throughout, with some leather and tobacco aromas also present. Great structure with an incredibly long finish.

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Flight 7 - Dunham Cellars (5 Notes)

Solid wines here, and a great location. Honestly, though, I didn't see what all the hype was about.

  • 2011 Dunham Cellars Chardonnay Shirley Mays Lewis Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Mostly oak related aromas (toasted oak, vanilla) with some tree fruit as well. Fuji apple and melon on the palate, with some acid to balance.

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  • 2010 Dunham Cellars Trutina 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Nose of seared steak, dried red fruit, and lavender. Palate has dark fruit with oak, with some port-ish aspects on the finish.

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  • 2010 Dunham Cellars Syrah 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Dark fruit, leather, and earth on the nose. Tons of dark fruit on the palate with oak and spice. Sort of your average non-minerally Walla Walla Syrah.

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  • 2007 Dunham Cellars Merlot Lewis Vineyard Reserve 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    A wee bit heavy on the oak, which dominates the wine. Dark cherry flavors and aromas are present as well, but for now the oak is really assertive. Rated a bit high since I hope it will resolve with time.

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  • 2005 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/25/2013)

    Drinking well now. Aromas of cherry and raspberry with some leather present as well. Similar flavors driven by the fruit. Some oak also lingering around on the fringes. Short but pleasant finish.

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Flight 8 - Patit Creek Cellars (8 Notes)

Decent wines here, but you have to buy by the case to get any kind of a decent deal.

Flight 9 - Isenhower Cellars (5 Notes)

Brett and Denise have built a great winery here. The Sangiovese was especially good this visit.

  • 2012 Isenhower Cellars Roussanne White Paintbrush 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Aromas of apple blossom and honeydew melon. Nectarine and pear on the palate. Flavors are complimented by a pleasant finish that's bright with acid.

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  • 2012 Isenhower Cellars Pink Paintbrush 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Nose of candied raspberry and strawberry. Refreshing flavors of strawberry with earthy notes. Would be great on a hot summer's day.

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  • 2011 Isenhower Cellars Sangiovese Desert Hills Vineyard Yakima Valley 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Complex nose of coffee, chocolate, and toffee. Rich flavors of dark fruit and chocolate with just a hint of acid. Pleasant finish. Great on its own, but would be phenomenal with food.

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  • 2011 Isenhower Cellars Syrah Wild Alfalfa 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Black fruit driven wine with additional coffee and oak notes. Long and slightly warming finish. A bit weird that its in a Bordeaux bottle, but you'll get over it once you realize it still looks good in a glass...

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  • 2011 Isenhower Cellars Malbec "A Bloc" 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

    (5/26/2013)

    Brett and Denise's first attempt at Malbec turned out quite well.

    Dried plum and smoke on the nose is followed by black cherry flavors. Well structured, so I expect it will be even better in a couple of years.

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Flight 10 - Dusted Valley Vintners (8 Notes)

Definitely worth a stop.

Flight 11 - Beresan Winery (8 Notes)

Decent wines. I especially enjoyed the Carmenere.

Flight 12 - Pepper Bridge Winery (3 Notes)

Solidly made wines here. The Cab Sauv is very impressive each year.

  • 2010 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Dried raspberry, earth, and tobacco on the nose. Big and bold on the palate with red and black fruits. Fruit flavors are balanced with oak and tannins. Long finish. Still young--I'd wait at least two years before trying again.

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  • 2009 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Aromas of black fruit with earthy undertones. Red and black fruit flavors with oaky notes. Long and expressive finish. Will lay down for a few more years at least.

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  • 2009 Pepper Bridge Trine 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    (5/26/2013)

    Lots of aromas wafting out of the glass--tobacco, black fruit, baking spices. Primarily marionberry flavors with lots of oak. Long finish.

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Flight 13 - Sleight of Hand (4 Notes)

Not my cup of tea.

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