Kerloo Library Tasting
Once in a while I have the chance to taste great older Washington wines to see how the wines are cellaring. Kerloo Cellars was founded back more than a decade ago by Ryan Crane. Years back Ryan got his start at Animale Cellars in Seattle, and then later trained under Marie-Eve Gilla at Forgeron Cellars while completing his degree in Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College. These are wines that show great finesse with rich fruit flavors and wonderful terroir. Ryan has a deft touch for Rose and white wines. He also brings a very fun atmosphere at his SoDo tasting room location that is a relaxed, modern facility.
I was blown away with the. 2018 Kerloo Cellars ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is just singing at the three year mark and has a long way to go in the cellar. Even better is the sinfully good 2017 Kerloo ‘Upland Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 94) which has plenty of depth and concentration with crazy good aromatic and flavor range. Learn more about this great SoDo winery at www.kerloocellars.com. Here are the great library releases by the talented Ryan Crane and his Kerloo Cellars.
2018 Kerloo ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this outstanding cooler site, this finesse-driven Chardonnay brings this together as layers as white flowers, vanilla cream, honeydews melon and crushed wet rock brilliantly combine. Wait for the exceedingly long finish! This isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Drink 2021-2028- 93
2016 Kerloo ‘Underwood Mountain’ Pinot Noir- A great core of juicy sour red fruits great you aromatically displaying layers of forest floor and cigar ash add to the enjoyment. The palate is luxuriously and soft with serious texture and weight, delivering ripe red fruits with to Waco leaf and tilled soils on the palate. Drink 2021-2028- 93
2017 Kerloo ‘Upland Vineyard’ Grenache-This is a truly pretty expression of Grenache. Ripe red fruit aromatics combine with orange zest, umami and shades of smoldering stones all meld in the glass. The finesse and freshness as well of the texture is unbelievably good. Finishing long, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2014 Kerloo Upland Vineyard’ Syrah- Fresh, lithe and deep, the 2014 Upland Vineyard Syrah is absolutely singing right now. Vibrant with stony minerals, the flavor range is truly outstanding from soy sauce and black pepper dusted charcuterie alongside black tea and wild blackberry pie on the palate. Drink 2021-2031-94
2017 Kerloo ‘Stone Tree Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-This opens with a beautiful bouquet of red florals alongside sagebrush and ripe dark fruit tones with chocolate undercurrents. Fresh and beautifully textured with good weight this is a stunning wine that is already beautifully evolved and will produce drinking for the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
