Before I was formally reviewing wines, I saw great value in Washington wines. Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ has been a pillar of value since I first tasted this wine back in 2002. I have always been impressed with wineries that offer their products at very reasonable prices, regardless of financial conditions. While some have consistently raised their prices, Dunham Cellars has kept their prices very moderate over the past fifteen years, giving consumers a very polished product at a reasonable price.

For years I purchased the ‘Trutina’ for my personal collection as I always felt this wine over-delivered on quality for the price. Friends and I will fondly recall regularly tasting the 2006 and 2007 ‘Trutina’ wines which were outstanding upon release. About a week ago I was handed the opportunity to revisit every vintage of Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ with their general manager John Blair and their winemaker Rob Campisi. We all took a very deliberate approach as we moved from wine to wine.

The biggest surprise by far was how the first three wines showed. Vintages 1998-2000 were seriously good, with the 1999 Dunham Cellars (Trey Marie) ‘Trutina’ (OB, 91) shining the most brightly now at the twenty-two year mark. I was really impressed with the 2002 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ (OB, 92) which has plenty of dense dark fruits and good richness. I love wines from 2002 and this wine was aging gracefully and still had another five plus years left. One surprise was the 2008 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ (OB, 92) which was made with a very large portion of Syrah blended in but had great finesse and salty undertones. No doubt another surprise was the 2010 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ (OB, 92) which is still humming away while some other wines from this vintage seem to be already at peak or past their prime. One of the best wines I had from the tasting is the 2016 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ (OB, 93) which is vibrant now at the five year mark. I love the moving parts of this wine, showing earthy tones that combine with the rich dark fruits and soft mouthfeel.

This was just an extraordinary way to go back in time and recall some of the great value red wines made in their time. Learn more about ‘Trutina’ or other Dunham wines at dunhamcellars.com and here are my tasting notes from every vintage of Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina.’

1998 Dunham Cellars (Trey Marie) ’Trutina’ Red Wine-Dark peat most with tobacco tones alongside lighter fruits mark the nose. The palate is fresh and linear as the light red fruits make this really sing. This is beautifully evolved wine. Drink 2021-2025- 90

1999 Dunham Cellars (Trey Marie) ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- Fresh and focused, this 1999 is very youthful with still maintaining a core of dark fruits. Alight dusting of salinity ages to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2025- 91

2000 Dunham Cellars (Trey Marie) ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- Considering the challenges faced in the vintage, thesis a pretty impressive showing with light saline tones alongside red currants, bandaid, cedar, cigar box, and peat moss undertones. This is impressive stuff. Drink 2021-2024- 90

2001 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red WIne- This is somewhat disjointed but shows a rich core of dark fruits with chocolate tones. Drink 2021-2024- 88

2002 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The nose here is decadent with ripe figs, chocolate and tobacco alongside blackberry compote. The palate is full-bodied and decadent with great balance and acidity. This is just beautiful stuff right now. Drink 2021-2026- 92

2003 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2003 ‘Trutina’ is a glorious showing with intense chocolate and cassis notes alongside espresso bean. The sense of salinity is great here. Drink 2021-2026- 92

2004 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- A large portion of Merlot (59%) as this shows off rich dark currants and dark kirsch notes with sweet pipe tobacco and chocolate tones all impress. Drink 2021-2024- 90

2005 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (41% each), the 2005 shows a beautiful bouquet with cocoa powder and anise on the nose. The palate is fresh, salty and savory with lighter red fruits that dance with minerals. This is saline-infused, delicious wine that is still full of life. Drink 2021-2027-91

2006 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine-The 2006 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine is showing nicely right now. Soft and round, this shows a nice mouthfeel with black currants and blackberry compote flavors. A touch straightforward, yet very tasty this won’t improve but is gorgeous right now. Drink 2021-2026- 91

2007 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2007 ‘Trutina’ is soft and a touch lean with blackberry and coffee ground flavors. Drink now. Drink 2021-2025- 90

2008 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- this has equal parts of Cabernet and Syrah blended in (42% each). The Syrah is really shining here with chocolate, sagebrush and coffee ground aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft and salty with a great savory edge. Black currants combine with salted meats, menthol, leather, blackberry compote and really good finesse. Drink 2021-2029- 92

2009 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2009 ‘Trutina’ shows good fresh sage and underbrush notes on the nose alongside wild blackberry and peat moss aromas. The palate is finesse-driven with blackberry, black cherry and sage tones. This still has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2027- 91

2010 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- This colder vintage wine has a good amount of Merlot blended in (63%). Mostly Lewis Vineyard fruit, this really smells Merlot dominant with chocolate covered cherry, coffee grounds and sagebrush. This shows good flavor density and weight considering the vintage. This is very Washington meets St. Estefe. Drink 2021-2027- 92

2011 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2011 really shows the coolness of the vintage. A touch lean and linear, this shows lighter dark fruits with coffee ground flavors. Drink 2021-2023- 89

2012 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2012 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine is a glorious wine. The wine shows good flavor density with cassis, anise, black currants and black florals. The almost weightless quality mid-palate really makes this sing. This is very pretty stuff that is truly in balance and has a longways to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2013 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The 2013 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine is a sensational effort at the eight year mark. Tar, tobacco and black currants meld with dark chocolate covered red cherry on the palate. Black tea and stony accents all impress and add to the enjoyment, with good length. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2014 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- Large parts Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (37%) this shows amazing balance with a great core of roasted figs, espresso bean and dark currant jelly. The wine shows good weight and finesse, as this beautiful wine is just starting to hit is stride. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2015 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- 54% Cabernet with smaller parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, the 2015 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine shows off ripe dark currants with mocha and tar tones. This shows good finesse but shows less flavor density than the 2014. Drink 2021-2028- 91

2016 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- Sagebrush with dark currants, espresso bean and milk chocolate tones all take shape in the glass. Dense and chewy, with a great sense of mouthfeel, this is beautiful wine right now. This has at least another ten years to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93