The big news in the Walla Walla Valley a few years back was that Valdemar — the storied Rioja house — was investing in a new property and winery. For years I had enjoyed purchasing Valdemar wines that exuded great value. These are wines from the early 2000s that helped awaken me to the incredible range of wines in La Rioja.
Over time construction of a beautiful, modern facility was made at Valdemar Estates — truly one of the great winery destinations in Washington State. Remarkably Valdemar is also the first non-American owned winery in Washington. With sweeping views across the Walla Walla Valley and gorgeous, modern touches, this is a must visit for wine lovers near and far. This summer I tasted with CEO Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora, who represents the fifth generation of his family’s 130-year-old wine business. Jesus has recently hired Devyani Gupta to take over as winemaker and viticulturist. Gupta is originally from Portland and is a fellow graduate of Whitman College. During her tenure at Whitman, she worked for Amavi Cellars and in 2016 she completed the enology and viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College. She later worked for FIGGINS and Toil before being hired at Valdemar.
I love her new 2020 Valdemar Estates ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which shows great underlying freshness and has outstanding flavor range. Even better is a blend from two Walla Walla Rocks Vineyard sites, in the 2020 Valdemar Estates ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah (OB, 93). This is pure Rocks for you with its stony and savory notes. Learn more about this special winery project at https://www.valdemarestates.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Valdemar Estates
2020 Valdemar Estates ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Located in the Yakima Valley AVA, the ‘French Creek Vineyard’ has old vine, 1981 plantings of Chardonnay that is utilized for this Valdemar Estates wine. This is a delicious rendition that is round and generous on the mouth, reveling in flavors of toasted oak and wild mushroom that combine with ripe cantaloupe and brioche. Finishing long with vanilla cream and minerals, this is beautiful Chardonnay that is best served at a warmer temperature. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 Valdemar Estates ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- Stored in 20% new French oak, the 2021 ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay offers ripe pear and nectarine flavors with lighter flinty tones and minerals on the palate. Juicy and delicious, consume now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2020 Valdemar Estates ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- Sourced from the Stoney Vine and Lefore Vineyards which are both set in the Walla Walla Rocks District, this delivers bacon fat with black olives, thyme and smoldering stone notes on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and comes off very salty and savory with smoked meats and charcuterie notes alongside ripe figs and blackberry compote. Enjoy this delicious and complex Rocks District Syrah now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2028- 93
2020 Valdemar Estates ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Syrah- Located in the Walla Walla Valley, the Blue Mountain Vineyard was first planted back in 2000, as this high elevation site sits in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Allspice and blueberry compote hit the nose alongside shades of freshly tilled soils and suggestions of soy sauce. The palate is soft and well-balanced with a silky mouthfeel. Layered with plenty of ripe black fruit, this is delicious Syrah to consume now and over the next seven years or so. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2019 Valdemar Estates ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2019 Valdemar Estates ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from this famed site on Red Mountain. Scorched earth notes combine with garrigue, wild blackberry and suggestions of dark chocolate pie on the nose. The palate is very soft and approachable with light tannins that frame a core of medium to full-bodied kirsch cordial, black currant and tar flavors. Drink 2023-2032- 92
2019 Valdemar Estates ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Mainly coming from this recently acquired vineyard that was formerly owned by Betz, this also has 15% Dionysus Vineyard fruit blended in. Very inky in the glass, the wine was stored in 70% new French oak for 19 months before bottling. It is dense, chewy and refined on the mouth, as silky tannins frame a beautiful and lush core of dark fruit flavors, with chocolate covered espresso bean and loamy soil undertones. Drink 2023-2038- 93