As we continue on through Washington Wine Month, we share a great new producer out of Walla Walla. Prospice Wines was founded by Jay Krutulis and Matt Reilly. They both have quite diverse backgrounds. Jay studied Biology in college and Neuroscience in graduate school before embarking on nearly 20 years of studying and practicing corporate law. Jay's entry into law was inspired by visits to Woodinville area while working for Amazon. He is a graduate of the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture Program at Walla Walla Community College and has served as cellarmaster for Tranche. Matt lived in Spokane and worked harvests for Barrister Winery, and after a cross country stint moved back to eastern Washington where he also graduated from the WWCC Enology and Viticulure program. Matt has worked at Mark Ryan Winery and has served as cellarmaster at Gramercy Cellars. The winery sources from some exciting vineyards including Les Collines, Resurgent and Gamache Vineyards.
I really enjoyed the 2018 releases by Prospice. Check out the 2018 Prospice Wines ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 92) which has great earthy terroir with smoky and earthy tones. Even better was their 2018 Prospice Wines ‘Resurgent Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 93) which has light stony tones and shows really good aromatic and flavor range Learn more about this exciting new winery at https://prospice.wine Here are they great new wines by Prospice Wines.
2018 Prospice Wines ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2018 Prospice Wines 2018 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah is an awesome new bottling that includes 5% Viognier. The wine underwent 50% whole cluster fermentation and was entirely aged in neutral barrels and puncheons for sixteen months before bottling. Layers of smoke and dried herbs combine with shades of cocoa powder and dusty terroir on the nose. The palate is elegant, showing both great weight and concentration. Sour red and dark fruits dance with baking spices, smoky minerals and dried sage on the palate. Complex and delicious to consume in its youth, showing a good degree of mouth-watering acidity right now, this great new wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Prospice Wines ‘Resurgent Vineyard’ Syrah -This Walla Walla Valley vineyard is known for its stony terroir. The wine underwent 50% whole cluster fermentation and also was aged in natural oak and puncheons for sixteen months before bottling. The terroir here is quite apparent. Hoisin sauce and smoky pork shoulder collide with green olive tapenade and charcuterie tones on the nose. The aromatic range is gorgeous. The palate shows a wonderful feel of balance with light stony terroir. The flavor range is gorgeous from bacon fat to wild blackberry cobbler and smoky tones. Great to enjoy now, the 2017 ‘Resurgent Vineyard' Syrah will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Propsice Wines ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Mourvedre - This wine has a touch of Les Collines Vineyard Syrah blended in, as this underwent 33% whole cluster fermentation and was aged for sixteen months in neutral oak before bottling. Smoked brisket and tar tones collide with the core of dark kirsch and chocolate cake tones on the nose. The palate has great freshness and mouthfeel with layers of dark fruits and mocha tones with sagebrush and menthol accents playing second fiddle. With good length and richness. The 2017 ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Mouvedre will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Prospice Wines ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon - The 2017 Prospice Wines ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 95% Seven Hills Vineyard Cab Sauv, with a small portion of Golden Ridge Vineyard Merlot and Quinn Ranch Vineyard Petit Verdot. Aged in 48% neutral oak, this begins with blackberry compote and mocha tones with dried herbs and tobacco leaf on this expressive bouquet. The palate is soft, around and generous. Layers of black currants, dark chocolate shavings, tar, cigar box and blackberry cobbler all collide on the palate. With great length and an err of elegance, this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2017 Prospice Wines ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced almost entirely from the Quintessence Vineyard on Red Mountain, this shows off creosote and anise with blueberry pie on the nose. The palate is deep and decadent with gorgeous deep dark fruits that mingle with chocolate covered espresso bean, tar and graphite tones. The long finish adds to the enjoyment. Fantastic now in its youth, the ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2035- 93