Crafting great wines for more than 13 years, Dusted Valley is headquartered in Walla Walla and has a Woodinville tasting room right down from Purple Cafe. Originally from Wisconsin, Dusted Valley founders, Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel are brothers-in-laws who have roots in agriculture. They source from estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and other premier vineyards throughout the state. Tending to use a minimalistic approach with French oak, Dusted Valley produces roughly 6,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay, along with Bordeaux and Rhone Style blends. Their new releases were very serious across the board.
Look to their 2015 Dusted Valley Cabernet Franc (WWB, 92) which is a dense, and rich Cabernet Franc that shows a lovely herbal touch. Downright awesome was their 2013 Dusted Valley ‘V.R. Special’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which captures a classic Cabernet essence and also includes an herbal touch from the Petit Verdot used in blending. Finally, one of the best Petite Sirah wines in Washington is their 2014 Dusted Valley Petite Sirah (WWB, 93) which is intense and is up there with the best Petite in Napa. Learn more about this outstanding winery at https://www.dustedvalley.com Here are the great new wines by Dusted Valley.
2015 Dusted Valley Cabernet Franc- This densely colored wine opens with a bouquet of anise, blackberry pie and creme de cassis. There are rich flavors of creme de cassis, roasted dates and dill with red bell pepper. Lithe and also very intense, this is an outstanding wine made by Dusted Valley. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2015 Dusted Valley ‘Squirrel Tooth Alice’ Red Wine- Sourced from the Stone Tree Vineyard, this wine is a compelling blend of 43% Grenache, 37% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah. This dark colored wine begins with aromas of red cherry, dill and pomegranate seed with smoke. The palate is lithe as the wine progresses into red fruit with orange rind and tobacco leaf flavors. The mouthfeel created here is simply gorgeous. Enjoy this great wine over the next decade. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dusted Valley ‘Rachis’ Syrah- This dark colored wine is sourced from the Stone Tree Vineyard and begins with aromatics reminiscent of black tea, blackberry cobbler and violets. The mouthfeel is exceedingly plush and inviting as the wine shows off dense dark fruit flavors with coffee grounds, baking spices and a touch of milk chocolate. Rich and layered, this is another outstanding wine made by Dusted Valley. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2013 Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, this inky colored wine begins with aromas of red bell pepper, sweet pipe tobacco and sagebrush with blackberry jam. The plush mouthfeel is very inviting as the flavors of black cherry cough syrup, mocha, loganberry preserves and milk chocolate shavings connect with a nice minerality. This dense treat will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2013 Dusted Valley ‘V.R. Special’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Even more dense than their awesome ’13 Cabernet, the 2013 ‘V.R. Special’ is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Petit Verdot. Mocha and sagebrush aromatics hit you instantly with a touch of black cherry. The palate is hugely rich. Black tea, sagebrush, mocha and crushed mint flavors impress.This hedonistic wine will cellar marvelously over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2017-2030- 93
2014 Dusted Valley Malbec- This deep hued wine begins with aromas of blackberry jam, sagebrush, violets and dark chocolate. Generous and round flavors of mocha, mint, blackberry cobbler and sagebrush impress. This is another gorgeous wine by Dusted Valley. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Dusted Valley ‘BFM’ Red Wine- The ‘BFM’ is a blend of 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot which was sourced from the Columbia Valley. There are rich aromas of mocha, graphite, black olive and black tea. Plush and round, this excellent wine delivers rich flavors of milk chocolate, sagebrush, boysenberry jam and cigar box. This has lovely range and smoothness. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Dusted Valley Petite Sirah- Sourced from the Wahluke Slope, this has 15% Syrah blended in. The wine begins with aromas of creme de cassis mocha, cigar tobacco and blackberry jam. Dense and decadent, the wine shows off blueberry compote, black tea, blackberry cobbler and dark chocolate ganache flavors that sit alongside some nice tension. This is one of the best of its kind in the state. Drink 2017-2027- 93