June 22, 2018
Small Washington Wineries - BIG Red Wines
1. 2016 Isenhower Cellars Malbec Yakima Valley - $21
The 2016 Yakima Valley Malbec is comprised of 85% Olsen Ranch Vineyard clone 9 Malbec & 15% Les Collines Vineyard clone 4 Malbec. All the grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted, & fermented by yeasts native to the respective vineyards. The Malbec was aged in French Oak barrels of 11 months prior to bottling. Winery
2. 2014 Secret Squirrel Columbia Valley Red Wine - $26
"This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine is a second label from the exquisite Corliss estates & the same high quality meticulous winemaking is evident in the results. Possessing an inky dark color, this wine opens with aromas of stewed cherries & blackberries with hints of coffee & sage. The mouthfeel is rich, currently displaying a masculine flavor profile yielding dense flavors of black currants, raspberries & cocoa through the finish. " Rated 92 International Wine Report
3. 2016 Guardian Chalk Line Columbia Valley - $26
"Supple & well-structured, with black cherry & coffee bean aromas & expressive red plum, sassafras & spice flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Blend of 38% Cabernet, 33% Merlot & 29% Syrah. Rated 93 Wine Spectator
4. 2014 Idilico Garnacha Yakima Valley - $20
Fermented in small stainless steel tanks & barrel aged in neutral French oak Puncheons for 12 months. The wine exhibits aromas of caramel, juicy red fruit, jam & hints of citrus. In the palate the wine is full bodied with luscious mouthfeel & a lingering finish. Winery
5. 2013 El Corazon Pistolero Walla Walla - $22
One of the best kept secrets in the Walla Walla Valley is El Corazon. The wine itself is luscious & far from scary! However, like the label the wine is "dark." This blend of fruit is deep, dark & rich. On the palate it is smooth, chocolately, a mouth full of cherries & graham crackers, yet finishes with a hint of spice. wildwallawallawinewoman
6. 2014 Pleasant Hill Spanish Dancer Columbia Valley - $33
The second Spanish Dancer & it features less Tempranillo & more Garnacha than the 2013. Again we are using the grape called Graciano which gives the blend balance, color & flavor. It is used by only a handful of wineries in the state. The wine is a little more fruit forward with the leather on the nose followed by red plums, mocha & blackberry. Winery
7. 2014 Darby Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain - $36
Smooth textured, graceful & refined, with bold notes of savory herbs, currant, black olive & mineral . Aged in 75% new French oak that adds texture & complexity. From Shaw & Quintessence vineyards.
8. 2015 La Chanterelle Cabernet Sauvignon Wahluke Slope - $35
"Sourced from the Riverbend Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope, this rich Cabernet weights in at a higher alcohol percentage than usual (15.6%) but you would not surmise that percentage based on the aromatics & flavor profiles. This opens with a ripe bouquet of black cherry, mocha & boysenberry liquor. The acidity here is really nice as dense dark fruit flavors connect with milk chocolate & sagebrush. The plush mouthfeel coats the mid-palate." WashingtonWineBlog