Located right as you enter the downtown area of Walla Walla, Corliss is an ultra-premium producer of red and white wines founded in 1999 by Michael and Lori Corliss. Over the years Mike Corliss has bought vineyard land throughout the state, including more holdings on Red Mountain. Corliss has been met with some serious critical acclaim since their first release in 2008. I love how these wines age, as I’ve had the chance to try their 2006 and 2008 red wines over the past year and I can absolutely say that they are still alive and kicking even now at fifteen years.
As times evolve Corliss is now producing nearly 100% estate fruit sourced other than a touch of Syrah being sourced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. For the 2017 vintage they aged their Bordeaux wines for a touch less to keep more freshness in the wines. The winemaking team has mentioned that they have been working hard to make the Syrah more divergent from the Bordeaux style wines. I adored the 2017 Corliss Estate Syrah (OB, 95) which is dense and brooding with silky tannins and a soft and generous mouthfeel. Even better is the incredible 2017 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is seamless, silky wine that has decades of life in front of it. Learn more about these incredible wines at corlissestate.com and here are my notes on the pre-release 2017s by Corliss.
2017 Corliss Estate Syrah- The 2017 Corliss Estate Syrah is a dense and exotic wine that benefits from some air in the decanter. Once aroused this evokes pretty red and black florals alongside smoked brisket with white pepper dusted bacon and blackberry pie as well as black cherry cordial aromas that all meld in the glass. The palate is dense and chewy with great viscosity. With a few hours of air this becomes even more dense and decadent with massive blue and black fruits alongside creosote, minerals and black olives. This is sinfully good even in its youth but try to resist this slumbering giant for another year or two. Drink 2022-2037- 95
2017 Corliss Estate Red Wine-While the 2016 Red Wine was a Cabernet Franc dominant blend, the 2017 is a 100% Red Mountain AVA wine that is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant. However, the Cabernet Franc shows its stride here particularly with the herbal aromatics adding to the complexity as creme de violette, anise, cassis aromas mingle with shades of red bell pepper, mocha and tar accents on this highly evocative bouquet. The palate is pillowy and downright weightless with a gorgeous combination of black and blue fruits alongside graphite, stony minerals and firm tannins. This is very seamless and precise wine throughout the drinking experience. Try to give this sleeping beauty at least another two years before consuming. Drink 2023-2044- 96
2017 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon is an extraordinary wine that is a hedonistic monster right now. Comprised of100% estate fruit from Red Mountain, this shows amazing aromatic range from scorched earth to black tea and exotic spices alongside blackberry cobbler and dark chocolate covered espresso bean. The palate is weightless and seamless with glorious length and downright sensational flavor density. Firm tannins hold everything beautifully in place. This just exceptional wine that will cellar well for many decades to come. Drink 2024-2045- 97