What follows is an excerpt for the 2008 Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting Report. Read the full report here.

Va Piano Vineyards year in and year out makes excellent wine. More than many wineries from Walla Walla, these wines really seem to be made with food in mind. This fall, winemaker Justin Wylie and wife Liz welcomed a new member – Sienna – to their family. Meanwhile, assistant winemaker Ryan Crane is planning to start his own label in the future which will be called Kerloo. Crane is planning to create a Tempranillo as well as other red varietals. All wines sampled at 65 degrees. The inverse of PPS – Giant Pour Syndrome.

Wines:

Score

Name

Notes

$

*

Syrah Columbia Valley 2007

A refined style with light spices, blackberry, and blueberry. Smooth and even taste. 38% Lewis, 32% Portteus, 16% Minick, 14% Va Piano vineyards.

BS

*

Columbia Valley Blend 2007

The nose is light with an occasional herb component and touches of anise. A beautiful, dry wine with a long hang time and a lot of pucker to it. 82% Cabernet; 8% Cab Franc; 7% Merlot; 2% Malbec; 1% Petit Verdot. Va Piano, Klipsun, Portteus, Pepper Bridge, and Seven Hills vineyards.

BS

*

Syrah 2006

Gorgeous spices and herbs mark the nose. A pleasing mouth feel on a tart wine with a lot of black pepper.

$38

+

Bruno’s Blend IV Columbia Valley

Vanilla and clove mark the nose. Tart and crisp on the taste. A great food wine. Syrah; Malbec.

$23

*

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Loaded with spice, tobacco, cherry, and bramble berry along with touches of cassis. On the taste, tart and crisp with a solid tannin profile without being overpowering. 94% Cabernet; 3% Petit Verdot; 3% Cab Franc. Va Piano, Seven Hills, Portteus, Klipsun, and Phinney Hill vineyards. 14.1% alcohol. 392 cases produced.

$45