August 14, 2015 - This wine was a couple years past, I think. Extensive bricking at the edge, but still deep color at core. Nose of cherry, chocolate, and a bit of prune (starting to madeirize?) Still decent fruit up front and a slight bit of tannin, but not a very long finish. Wish I had drunk it 2 years ago.
January 26, 2015 - Had this with a grilled ribeye and it was delicious. Still a lot of fruit up front and the tannins had integrated nicely. I have one more bottle and will drink it soon as this wine is not going to get any better.
January 15, 2011 - strong alcohol in the nose, but good red fruit smells. dark cherries, cow dung, and wild grasses on the palette with a lot of acidity and mild tannins. overall, very good and stereotypical for Walla Walla
August 21, 2010 - Shows the classic Washington State characteristic of tasty crushed blueberries mixed in with a just a touch of spicy oak. Tannins are resolved nicely, putting this wine in a sweet spot of enjoyability right now. Very nice.
October 28, 2008 - The plushness and concentration that is a hallmark for SV IMO is just gone after about 3yrs from my experance. That being said I really liked the acids, smoke, lots of spices, w/some green olives. It's really morphed into a totally different wine then I like and expect from SV but if you get past this it was very nice
October 26, 2008 - Tasted more like a Red Mountain or Yakima wine than a W2. Dried herbs and tart fruit in a nicely balanced wine. Not the plush and velvety wine that it was on release. I won't age my Spring Valleys from here on.
August 21, 2008 - First whiff of the bottle didn't show anything, but after pouring it into the glass, the blackberry and sweet cherry started to peek their noses out. The wine had an excellent balance on the palate - sweet, but rounded out with just enough acidity. The tannins appeared to be quite integrated at this point in the wines life, and boasted a finish that lasted fairly long.
This was a wine to be drank by itself -- it was somewhat shy and would only tell its story if you sat down and paid attention to it.
Devin was an artist with his fruit -- and will continue to be missed.
I plan on drinking my last '01 Derby in the next year -- I would say that it is peaking at this point.