Over 10 years ago a Frenchman, Christophe Baron, descended on a relatively unknown subregion outside of Walla Walla that is today known as ‘The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.’ Christophe was the youngest of the centuries-old Champagne house, Baron Albert, and his ancestors had worked the land since 1677. As he grew older, Christophe studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne and was drawn to the Willamette Valley, with its closeness to the terroir driven Pinots of Burgundy. Christophe spent some time traveling the world before purchasing some land outside of Walla Walla and planting in 1997.
No Girls Winery is an offshoot of Cayuse, created by Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier, who have worked together since the first release of No Girls in 2008. The style of winemaking that is attempts to focus on the unique terroir of the La Paciencia Vineyard. The La Paciencia (patience) vineyard was planted between 2003 and 2005, near the Armada vineyard, and the first couple of vintages of wine were declassified. The name ‘No Girls’ is connected with the history of Walla Walla. Christophe purchased a building in 2002 that was a former brothel. In his new building, Christohe noticed the words ‘No Girls’ painted on the wall— and the wine label is an actual photograph.
The new releases by No Girls were simply stunning, none more sop than the absolutely scintillating 2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache (WWB, 97) which is one of the highest rated Washington wines that I have reviewed this year. These wines are nearly impossible to find but you can sometimes find them on the secondary market online. No Girls has a very long wait list for their wines but these are remarkable wines worth seeking out. Learn more about this great winery at https://nogirlswine.com/nogirls/ Here are the outstanding new wines by No Girls.
2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache- In 2002 Christophe Baron purchased a former brothel in Walla Walla which didn't close until 1961. No Girls is named after that building. This wine is sourced from the La Pacencia Vineyard and this wine saw 100% neutral oak. You are immediately drawn to the downright insane aromatics of this wine. The bouquet reminds me of grapefruit oil, Umami, horse manure, red cherry preserves, wild strawberry and white truffle. There is tremendous weight and tension in the mid-palate as flavors of black cherry, black truffle oil, Umami, Tangerine rind and strawberry jam. The weight, range, salinity and balance is exquisette. Only 302 cases produced of this delicious wine. Drink 2017-2027- 97
2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Syrah- Only 13.4% alcohol this inky colored wine begins with intense aromatics of white flowers, bulls blood, black truffle oil, and blueberry pastry. This has wonderful tension and minerality, showing black tea, bacon fat, black cherry, peat moss and blackberry cobbler. This has wonderful weight and texture, showing a long, dark fruit and mineral driven finish. Drink 2017-2027- 94
2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo- The wine was aged in 20% new French oak for 8 months prior to bottling. This warm vintage wine has an absolutely intoxicating nose. This deep hued wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of black truffle oil, Umami, blood orange, bulls blood, crushed white flowers and tar. This leads to rich flavors of black tea, black olive tapenade, milk chocolate shavings, orange rind and black cherry. The weight and tension is gorgeous, leading to an exceedingly long finish. This is up there wit the best new world Tempranillo bottlings out there. Drink 2017-2027- 95