A Walla Walla mainstay, Tamarack Cellars is located renovated firehouse from a World War II Army Air Base in the airport district of Walla Walla, Ron and Jamie Coleman founded Tamarack Cellars in 1998 and have operated this family run winery since then. Tamarack's first vintage consisted of 300 cases of Merlot. The winery has grown considerably, now up to 20,000 cases each year. Head winemaker, Danny Gordon, has worked at Tamarack since 1999. While Gordon has no formal training in wine, he has learned from his Walla Walla colleagues over the years and his new releases are excellent. Tamarack has received considerable acclaim for their Firehouse Red in the past which has previously landed on the Wine Spectator Top 100.
The new 2015 Tamarack ‘Firehouse Red’ Red Wine (WWB, 90) is an awesome deal, showing off a great combination of dark and red fruits with poise. Also look to their gorgeous new Cabernet Franc wine, the 2015 (WWB, 91) which has a wonderful feminine quality and the herbaceousness that you desire in Washington Cab Franc. Learn more about these great wines at https://tamarackcellars.com Here are the great new wines from Tamarack Cellars.
2016 Tamarack Cellars Chardonnay- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, this opens with a bright bouquet of brioche toast, lemon zest and hints of nutmeg. Bright, with racy acidity, there are Pazzaz apple, lemon rind and Challah bread flavors. This has a touch of sweetness towards the back end. Drink 2017-2022- 90
2015 Tamarack Cellars ‘Firehouse Red’ Red Wine- This wine is a great blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 17% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Franc and a touch of other varietals. Fruity and forward on the nose, the wine reveals red currant, red cherry, and black plum aromatics with spicebox accents. This has a silky mouthfeel as the wine shows off black fruit flavors with a touch of milk chocolate and baking spices. An outstanding value out of Washington, enjoy this awesome red blend in the short term. Drink 2017-2022- 90
2014 Tamarack Cellars ‘Spicebox’ Red Wine- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, this wine is a blend off 52% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 17% Counoise. Red fruits and rose petals mark this distinctly feminine nose. Cherry preserves, red raspberry liquor, anise and nutmeg flavors round out this great wine by Tamarack and the talented hands of winemaker Danny Gordon. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2015 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc- Tamarack has developed a great reputation for Cabernet Franc over the past few years and this bottling is no exception. Red bell pepper and earthy aromatics connect with red fruits. Silky on the mid-palate, the wine unveils red cherry, red raspberry and pomegranate seed flavors with a touch of dill. This ls lithe, rich and delicious. Drink 2017-2024- 91
2014 Tamarack Cellars Merlot- The inviting aromatics of black cherry, black olive and baking spices bring you back to the glass for more. Smooth and generous on the mouthfeel, this has a nice balance between fruit and tension. Flavors of black cherry, roasted dates and milk chocolate impress. This is another outstanding effort by Tamarack. Drink 2017-2024- 91
2014 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon- An awesome wine out of the great Tamarack lineup, the 2014 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a bouquet of black tea, green bell pepper, pipe tobacco and blackberry syrup. Balanced and showing moderate richness, this reveals black fruit flavors that connect with milk chocolate and baking spices. This wine will cellar well for a decade. Drink 2017-2027- 91