One of the great established Walla Walla wineries, Spring Valley is perched on Walla Walla land that was originally used for farming that dates back to the the 1880s. More than 100 years later, Shari and Dean Derby planted vines on the land and made their first vintage in 1999. The Derbys’ son Devin Corkrum Derby served as winemaker until his passing in 2004. Devin’s assistant and friend Serge Laville took over as winemaker and has been crafting some beautiful wines over the past decade. Originally from the Northern Rhone region in France, Serge has created many impressive vintages of Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These are wines that typically show great weight and texture and the 2016 releases were absolutely outstanding across the board.
Look to the fantastic 2016 Spring Valley ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is dense, chewy and downright delicious at the four year mark. I love the 2016 Spring valley ‘Uriah’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which shows insanely good range and a silky mouthfeel. Learn more about these outstanding wines at springvalleyvineyard.com
Here are my reviews of the fantastic new Spring Valley wines.
2016 Spring Valley ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah- The 2016 Spring Valley ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah is another fantastic effort from this storied Washington winery. Salted smoked meats and black tea, as well as black licorice and milk chocolate aromas meld together in the glass. The palate has good weight and freshness, with a deep core of dark fruits that mingle with shades of mocha, tar and anise. Fantastic now, showing its silky mouthfeel, this will continue to develop for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2029- 92
2016 Spring Valley ‘Katherine Corkrum’ Cabernet Franc- Entirely comprised of Cabernet Franc, the wine was aged in 100% neutral French oak for eighteen months before bottling. this shows ripe dark fruits that connect with spicecake and tar aromas that take shape in the glass. The palate has a silky texture, delivering a great feel of elegance. Toasty oak wraps around blackberry pie and milk chocolate with sagebrush flavors, providing a soft texture that entices. Enjoy this fantastic Cabernet Franc bottling over the next decade. Drink 2020-2029- 93
2016 Spring Valley ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine- Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (93%), the ‘Fredrick’ has lovely herbal tones that collide with dark chocolate shavings, boysenberry, leather and pipe tobacco on this expressive bouquet. Soft, round and generous, this has an inviting mouthfeel and velvety texture. Light tannins line a core of dark fruits, chocolate fudge and baking spices. Truly fabulous now, the 2016 ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine will provide drinking enjoyment for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2016 Spring Valley ‘Uriah’ Red Wine- The ‘Uriah’ is named after Uriah Corkrum who was born in Walla Walla on June 1, 1866, and began successfully farming on his own during the 1880s. The wine is a fantastic blend of 59% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec that was aged in 100% French oak (25% new) prior to bottling. The red bell pepper and sagebrush tones entice and meld with the shades of black licorice, exotic spices and deep dark fruits that all collide in the glass. The palate shows a soft texture ands silky mouthfeel, delivering rich dark fruits with milk chocolate covered espresso bean and herbal undertones. Wonderful in its youth, the ‘Uriah’ will provide drinking enjoyment for the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2016 Spring Valley ‘Derby’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Derby’ Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) was aged in French oak (35% new) for eighteen months prior to bottling. Red bell pepper and baking spices with chocolate and roasted figs fill the nose. The palate is plush, delivering a wonderfully generous mouthfeel. Dense pipe tobacco and mocha flavors mingle with blackberry pie and shades of black olive and anise that all meld together in unity. While beautiful now, the 2016 ‘Derby’ will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2033- 93