Napa Valley wasn’t the only success story in 2007 – say hello to Walla Walla.

Without beating around the bush, the Wild Sky is a hot commodity. It is one of the very best price/value Cabernet’s on the market (while it’s labeled as “Cabernet Sauvignon” I believe a small amount of Merlot also makes an appearance). Already one of the more sizzling boutique entrants in the Northwest, additional fuel was added to the fire yesterday by Harvey Steiman – not a good thing for the already meager amount available to the US market. If elegance and a lighter hand are indeed making a comeback (which they are), The Wild Sky is a domestic showcase for femininity set within a framework of dense and gorgeous fruit – fruit that inspires one to dream, not to nod off in a stupor. From a New World nobility standpoint (not to mention a thinking man or woman’s point of view), this wine will run circles around most in its class - especially the reigning Wine Spectator Wine of the Year.

Not your average domestic wine, the Wild Sky gives one the sense of light passing through a prism, to emerge on the other side as a rainbow of energized electric colors. It is a decided turn toward a new style – an important new style that has a chance to influence those in California and maybe even in Bordeaux. If you enjoy the thought of a northern expression mixed with something like 1995 Robert Craig Affinity, this Washington State gem should be on your short list. The problem is that it’s on everyone else’s short list as well and only 800-1000 cases were produced. That’s fine if the wine is $500, but at $24.91? Niki better have her patience in full tilt today.

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