This is now the second time I write to you about upstart Walla Walla, XOBC Cellars. This is truly a great new project projects as XOBC is a partnership between four women, including country star Brandi Carile. The wines support the Looking Out Foundation. Brandi and Catherine have been incredibly successful in amplifying the spirit of song, of voices, of a collective community to make music mean more. The foundation was founded in 2008 by multiple Grammy winning artists Brandi Carlile, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, as the group bands together with fans, nonprofits, and corporations to translate voices of song to voices of action.
At the helm is one of Walla Walla’s finest winemakers, Sean Boyd of Rotie Cellars. If you haven’t had Sean’s wines before, you are in for a treat. The wines combine wpmnderful richness with a good degree of finesse and tension. I adored all of the new wines and was particularly impressed with what he has done with his first ever sparkling wine, the 2019 XOBC Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is a blend of Syrah and Grenache that is seriously impressive. Whether it is the soft mousse or delicate red fruits, this is an outstanding, one of a kind, value sparkling wine. I loved the 2018 XOBC ‘Elijah’ Grenache (OB, 93) is silky, with amazing texture and stony terroir. Learn more about this great new winery project at https://www.xobccellars.com Here are the beautiful new wines by XOBC.
2019 XOBC Sparkling Wine- I can be pretty certain that a sparkling wine blending 80% Syrah with 20% Grenache has never been done in Washington. Yet, bravo Sean Boyd for going out on a limb —and massively succeeding. The pretty and bright red fruits of pomegranate, cranberry, guava and red cherry, with red delicious apple, provide plenty of appeal, as does the soft and silky mousse that improves as the bottle sees more air. The length of this wine adds to the enjoyment, as this very delicate sparkling wine is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2019 XOBC ‘Evangeline’ Rose- Made from Syrah and Grenache grapes, the 2019 ‘Evangeline’ shows pretty melon, starfruit and red raspberry tones on the nose. The palate comes off nicely textured, with stony undertones connecting with watermelon, kiwi, and cantaloupe flavors. This finishes long, as the texturally outstanding ‘Evangeline’ will be best enjoyed over the next five years. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2018 XOBC ‘Elijah’ Grenache- The 2018 ‘Elijah’ Grenache was soured from the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Right away pretty red rose petals and blood orange zest aromatics provide plenty of enjoyment, as the core of red fruits with stony undertones all take shape in the glass. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a seamless texture. Very pretty guava, Yakima cherry and red raspberry cordial tones mingle with stony minerals and charcuterie tones on the palate. Gorgeous at the two year mark, the 2018 ‘Elijah’ will provide drinking enjoyment for the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 93
2018 XOBC ‘Catherine’ Syrah- Stony, heady and downright superb in its youth, the 2018 ‘Catherine’ is another awesome wine in this XOBC lineup. Inky in the glass, this takes on Hoisin sauce, Umami, black cherry cordial and shades of green olive tapenade aromatics. The palate has a soft mouthfeel and wonderful sense of texture. Ripe dark fruits collide with wet stone, seaweed, and salted smoked meats on the palate. The mouth-watering acidity makes this particularly hard to resist right now, as this great new wine will cellar well over the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 93