As part of Walla Walla Wine Month we bring you one of the exciting new winery projects out of Walla Walla, 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. Wines are crafted by one of Walla Walla’s finest winemakers, Sean Boyd of Rotie Cellars.
It is no surprise that each of the wines showed beautifully. I would drink these wines over the next five to seven years, as they are drinking great right now. The 2017 XOBC ‘Elijah’ Grenache (WWB, 93) is silky, showing great aromatic and flavor range. Learn more about this great new winery project at https://www.xobccellars.com Here are the beautiful new wines by XOBC.
2018 XOBC ‘Evangeline’ Rose- Sourced from the Rocks District, the Rose is a blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah. Bright melon tones collide with lighter wet stone and Yakima cherry tones on the nose. The silky texture and brightness of the wine really creates an inviting approach on the palate. The length and rich melon flavors show marvelously in this highly gratifying new Rose. Drink 2020-2024- 91
2017 XOBC ‘Elijah’ Grenache- This 100% Grenache wine was sourced from the Rocks District AVA. This takes the lead with aromas of red currants and thyme that mingle with lighter wet stone and citrus rind accents that all sing in the glass. The palate has a silky texture with layers of red fruits with bright tangerine zest and a lighter wet stone character. This is seriously good stuff that is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years, while the brightness remains. Drink 2020-2025- 93
2017 XOBC ‘Catherine’ Syrah- This deeply perfumed Syrah was entirely sourced from the Walla Walla Rocks District and weighs in at 14.3% alcohol. Right away the rocky terroir catches your eye, as layers of bacon fat, cigar box and green olive tapenade all dance in line aromatically. The palate is plush, showing a bright sense of minerality and also a silky texture. Intense citrus zest flavors combine with red cherry candy, Hoisin sauce and green olive tapenade, with a light dusting of salinity on the palate. Gorgeous right now, the ‘Catherine’ Syrah is best enjoyed in the next five to seven years while the freshness stays intact. Drink 2020-2025- 93
2018 XOBC ‘BC’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the esteemed ‘Wallula Vineyard’ the ‘BC’ shows gobs of rich black fruits with good chocolate and sagebrush undertones. This is a full-throttle journey that has a nice degree of freshness and light tannins to back up the very forward approach. Drink 2020-2030- 92