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

For the 2007 vintage Abeja has rebranded the Beekeeper’s Blend – their red table wine made from declassified barrels – as the 2007 House Red. This wine includes a percentage of Petit Verdot for the first time. Fear not, the Beekeeper’s Blend name will reemerge as a new mid-tier wine in the future. Red wines sampled at 64 degrees.

Wines:

Score

Name

Notes

$

*

2007 Chardonnay Washington State

Lightly colored. A classic chardonnay nose with grass and mineral along with some tropical fruit. A thick, slightly buttery feel. A fair amount of oak but well integrated. Just a touch of spice and citrus on the finish. 100% Chardonnay. Sampled at 59 degrees.

$36

*

2008 Viognier Walla Walla Valley

Very lightly colored. Pear, honey, and melon on an engaging nose with a lot of sweet hints. Mineral and a slight spice component on the taste. A touch of lemon zest on the finish. Very young at present. 100% Viognier. Mill Creek Vineyard. Sampled at 53 degrees.

$28

*

2007 House Red Columbia Valley

Smoke and a light gaminess mark the nose. Dry and velvety on the palate with a lot of black fruit. An excellent wine for the money. 84% Cabernet; 7% Cab Franc; 6% Petit Verdot; 3% Merlot.

$21

**

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

Blueberry and spice on a nose that also reveals cedar and toasted oak. Lots of oak components emerge as the wine opens, including vanilla and rich dark chocolate. Dark berries lie underneath the oak. Thick and rich with a pretty serious bite to the tannins at present. Needs 1-3 years or extended decanting. Throwing lots of sediment. 81% Cabernet; 14% Merlot; 5% Cab Franc.

$42

+

2007 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

Dark in color. A light egg aroma along with game, blueberry, and cured meats. A bit sharp and aggressive on the palate. Hard to see exactly where it is going right now. 97% Syrah; 3% Viognier. Mill Creek Vineyard.

$32