Echolands
Today we explore one of the most exciting new wineries in the Walla Walla Valley. Founded by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, MW, MS, Echolands continue to release a beautiful set of wines. Frost has an illustrious wine career, and is one of three individuals in the world to hold simultaneously the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, achieving his MS in 1991 and MW in 1993. He also authored ‘The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009’) and is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails.
Winemaker Taylor Oswalt is a fellow Whitman College alumnus, who previously was winemaker at Mark Ryan and has worked harvests at a host of great Washington wineries. Taylor also has a masters in wine microbiology from Washington State University.
Planted in May 2019, the Echolands Estate ‘Taggart Vineyard’ is an exciting site that had only ever been used for pasture and wheat lands since its settlement in the mid-19th century. Set on deep Loess soils, this will be an exciting development to see the wines from this new site.
The new releases are sourced from some great vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley including the Seven Hills Vineyards. I love the new 2021 Echolands Rose (OB, 91) which is brilliant with its tension filled body and wonderful melon fruit flavors. This is perfect for a hot day. I love the new 2019 Echolands ‘Robrum’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is built for the cellar with its fantastic structure and dense mouthfeel. Learn more about this fantastic new project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.
2021 Echolands Rose- Sourced from the Blue Mountain Vineyard high atop the Walla Walla Valley, this pale colored 2021 Rose offers delicate red fruits, melon and red floral tones aromatically. The palate is very polished and soft on the mouth, with good length and bright acidity. With no rough edges, this bright and well-structured Rose drinks best at a slightly cooler temperature. Drink 2022-2026- 91
2019 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- Smoky and savory aromas captivate, with suggestions of garrigue and smoked pork shoulder alongside black currants. The palate is very fresh and finesse-driven with medium bodied black fruit flavors alongside shades of cran-orange and menthol. For the cultured palate, the bright acidity suggests this would pair with a very wide range of foods. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2019 Echolands ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The outstanding and nicely structured 2019 Echolands ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc has 3% Merlot blended in. Medium-bodied, this displays a light saline streak that runs through the core of bay leaf, blackberry compote and flinty undercurrents. Drink 2022-2032- 91
2019 Echolands ‘Rubrum’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Rubrum’ is a left bank inspired blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon with 37% Merlot and smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Black raspberry and black tea notes combine with shades of cloves and wet gravel on the nose. The palate shows a soft texture with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors with shades of chocolate and pipe tobacco. Delicious to consume now, this will live on for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2035- 92
