I very fondly recall my first visit to Walla Walla Vintners. It was 2007 and we were just starting the financial crisis. I opened the door to a small tasting room and was flooded by people. The entire room was packed! These wines have been receiving some really good reviews and I seemed to know why. So did everyone else! Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they are the new owners of this house and their Cut Bank Estate vineyard. Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse. I can’t wait to see their new winery space which has been recently completed.
Winemaker Derrek Vipon is a is a native Washingtonian who started his career at Walla Walla Community College in the Enology and Viticulture program. After completing his education with a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, Derrek worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019. He trained under Gilles Nicault and his wines are very structurally sound, with a beginning, middle and end.
I loved the last set of his wines and the new wines are brilliant. Don’t miss the 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese (OB, 92) which is one of the best wines of its kind in the state. I adored the new 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah (OB, 94) which s dense and heady with a terrific mouthfeel and feeling of richness. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners.
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- The 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese was mainly sourced from Walla Walla vineyards, as this has smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blended in. Red rose petals combine with bright Bing cherry, orange rind and cigar box notes on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a great sense of verve and texture. Showing good length, with good depth, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2032- 92
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- This 2021 Merlot has 7% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 18 months in mostly neutral oak barrels. Chocolate covered dark cherry combine with roasted figs and shades of espresso grounds on the nose. The palate is rich and juicy with bright underlying finesse. Rich red and dark fruit flavors collide with copious minerals and stony undertones on the palate. This is already beautifully evolved stuff. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc has 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, as this comes from some of the top spots along the Columbia Valley. The palate is juicy and vibrant with bright underlying verve. Rich creme de violette and mocha flavors mingle with pencil lead and suggestions of baking spice dusted blackberry fruit flavors. Really good, this will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2035- 93
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a large portion of Malbec (12%) and Merlot (12%) blended in. The palate is medium to full-bodied, and is beautifully structured with refined tannins and a bright sense of minerality. Rich boysenberry and black plum fruits mingle well with bitter chocolate and scorched earth notes on the palate. Really well- defined, this has both the poise and density to cellar well for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah has a touch of Vioginer (3%) blended in. Stored for 18 months in mostly neutral oak, this offers clove and lavender aromatics that combine with dense smoked meats and black currants. The palate is nicely structured and loaded with black and blue fruit flavors, with good underlying tension. This is decadent and delicious Syrah that is best consumed now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2023-2035- 94