What follows is an excerpt for the 2008 Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting Report. Read the full report here.
Walla Walla Vintners makes excellent wine with a consistent style dominated by rich chocolate and cherry. The 2006 releases all seemed to have a light herbal component that added a layer of complexity. Surprisingly, as this wine has been a consistent favorite from the winery, the 2007 Cabernet Franc barrel sample was a disappointment. Perhaps some additional time in the barrel will bring it around. Wine temperature not recorded. PPS.
Wines: |
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Score |
Name |
Notes |
$ |
. |
Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley 2007 |
Nose still very young and a bit off-putting, reminiscent of Mentos. On the taste, mainly cranberry but overall too young to get much of an idea of it.
|
BS |
+ |
Sangiovese Columbia Valley 2006 |
Lots of cranberry and rose hips. Tart and crisp on the taste. 83% Sangiovese; 12% Syrah; 5% Malbec.
|
$24 |
* |
Washington State Cuvee 2006 |
Classic Walla Walla Vintners cherry aromas and flavors. A big nose with an almost gritty aspect to it along with wheat and chocolate. A pleasing tartness and an even body. 38% Merlot; 24% Cab Franc; 13% Cabernet; 8% Petit Verdot; 7% Carmenere; 5% Malbec; 5% Syrah. Cordon Grove, Dwelley, Frazier Bluff, Killian, Sagemoor, Spring Creek, and Weinbau vineyards.
|
$28 |
* |
Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2006 |
Classic Walla Walla Vintners nose with chocolate covered cherries laced with rose hips along with a beautiful, light herbal quality. Very smooth body, although a bit lighter than in previous years. 76% Cabernet; 10% Cab Franc; 6% Merlot; 3% Malbec; 3% Petit Verdot; 2% Carmenere. Dwelley, Frazier Bluff, Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, Tokar, and Windrow vineyards.
|
$35 |
* |
Cabernet Sauvignon Sagemoor Vineyard Columbia Valley 2006 |
Rich chocolate along with touches of cassis, pencil shavings, and Herbes de Provence. Tart with a full mid-palate and a long finish. 79% Cabernet; 21% Cab Franc, Malbec, and Merlot.
|
$40 |
** |
Bello Rosso 2006 |
A big nose with a good deal of complexity marked by wheat, chocolate, cherry, and rose hips. Fairly light on the palate but opens up and sails on the finish. 50% Sangiovese; 50% Cabernet. |
$36 |
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