What follows is an excerpt from the 2009 Walla Walla Spring Release Weekend Report. Download the full report here (Note: Opens .pdf).

Beresan gets its name from the region of the Ukraine the Waliser family hails from. Beresan’s wines all have a distinctive style that is chock full of red fruit, dried fruit, and earth aromas. On the palate, the wines are rich, bright, and focused. The winery sources most of its fruit from its estate vineyards which owner Tom Waliser manages. Beresan is planning to increase its focus on these vineyards in future releases. All wines sampled at 65 degrees.

Wines:
Score

 Name

 Notes

 $

*

 2007 Sémillon Walla Walla Valley

 Just a tinge of straw color. Pretty, tropical fruit mixes with mineral and smoke aromas. Beautifully balanced and even on the palate. 100% Sémillon. Beresan Estate Vineyard. 14.1% alcohol. 131 cases produced.

 $18

+

 2006 Buzz

 Light caramel mixes with cranberry and currant. A plush texture on the palate. 50% Syrah; 50% Cabernet. 100% Yellow Jacket Vineyard.

 $29

+

 2006 Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley

Fairly light in color with an almost orange tinge. A good wine marked by green pepper and spice, but just a bit tart. 14.5% alcohol. 195 cases produced.

 $29

+

 2006 Malbec

A deep color. Smoke and pepper stand out on the nose. Evenly balanced with a pleasing finish. 14.4% alcohol. 125 cases produced.

 $29

*

 2006 Merlot Columbia Valley

 Light in color. Lots of bright berries on this fruit forward wine, including cherry, raspberry, and red currants. Dry on the palate with spice, earth, and fruit. 100% Merlot. 14.5% alcohol. 293 cases produced.

 $29

*

 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

 Abundant, jammy fruit along with a touch of spearmint. Very well put together with fruit interwoven with earth and spice. 100% Cabernet. 13.8% alcohol. 380 cases produced.

 $35

+

 2006 Syrah Columbia Valley

 Distinctive earth aromas along with cranberry and dried fruit. 100% Syrah (45% Estate; 55% Candy Mountain). 14.5% alcohol. 224 cases produced.

 $29

*

 2006 Carménère Walla Walla Valley

 White pepper is at the fore on the nose with abundant fruit lying underneath it. Well balanced with pretty spices. 100% Carménère. 14.5% alcohol. 90 cases produced.

$29