Small Washington Wineries - BIG Red Wines

Meetup

Jun 22

Written By

What was poured

In the order it was served. Quoted tasting notes are credited to their sources.

1 · 2016 Isenhower Cellars Malbec Yakima Valley - $21

$21 retail

“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.”

the winery

2 · 2014 Secret Squirrel Columbia Valley Red Wine - $26

92 International Wine Report · $26 retail

“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.”

International Wine Report

3 · 2016 Guardian Chalk Line Columbia Valley - $26

93 Wine Spectator · $26 retail

“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.”

Wine Spectator

4 · 2014 Idilico Garnacha Yakima Valley - $20

$20 retail

“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.”

the winery

5 · 2013 El Corazon Pistolero Walla Walla - $22

$22 retail

“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”

tasting note

6 · 2014 Pleasant Hill Spanish Dancer Columbia Valley - $33

$33 retail

“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.”

the winery

7 · 2014 Darby Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain - $36

$36 retail

“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.”

tasting note

8 · 2015 La Chanterelle Cabernet Sauvignon Wahluke Slope - $35

$35 retail

“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”

tasting note