Now more of a Walla Walla mainstay than a new winery, I have really enjoyed the wines by Joshua West of Elephant Seven. Like many people in the wine industry, Josh comes from a diverse background in investment banking and has only has been winemaking on a full time basis for several years. He has previously worked for Whitehaven in New Zealand as well as interning at Figgins, Cadaretta, and Dusted Valley in Walla Walla. In the past several years he and his wife began their winery in Walla Walla and have a their tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. The wines he makes are classy, focusing on a combination of varietal typicity, mouthfeel and tension. Josh has a very high ceiling as a winemaker.
I love the new 2018 Elephant Seven ‘Yellow Bird VIneyard’ Grenache (WWB, 92) which shows very pretty red fruits and has good range. Even better was the 2016 Elephant Seven ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 93) which shows nice stony terroir from this Walla Walla Rocks AVA vineyard. Learn more about this exciting new Washington winery at https://www.elephantsevenwine.com/ Here are the new releases by Elephant Seven.
2018 Elephant Seven ‘Yellow Bird Vineyard’ Grenache- A blend of 80% Grenache with the remainder Syrah, this shows pretty florals alongside the smoky and dark fruit aromatic tones on the nose. The palate is bright, with great acidity and a soft mouthfeel. Layers of boysenberry compote mingle with coffee grounds and shades of bacon fat and Umami on the palate. This is seriously good stuff in its youth, as this beautiful new Grenache will cellar well over the next eight plus years. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2018 Elephant Seven ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Syrah- One of the great sites in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA, right away you are entrenched in the bacon fat and dried Provencale aromatic tones with shades of huckleberry. The palate is soft and generous with a silky mouthfeel. Bright red fruits dance with shades of kumquat zest, Umami and charcuterie on the palate. Great toe enjoy even at the two year mark, this has another five to seven years of drinking enjoyment. Drink 2020-2026- 93