Sitting across from winemaker Brad Binko last summer, we talked about everything from music to vintage port. A graduate of Walla Walla Community College’s enology and viticulture program, Binko formerly ran restaurant wine programs in Charleston before making the move to Walla Walla. The wines that he makes get better and better.
In the past he has produced a very wide range of wines, including a top notch Port-style wine and a great range of whites, including a very fresh and fragrant Rose. He is located in the Walla Walla Airport district and is known for putting on killer wine parties and concerts, especially in the summer.
I really enjoyed his new wines. Don’t miss out on the 2021 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Perspective’ Grenache Blanc (OB, 91) which is very fresh and nicely textured, with good flavor range. The best wine I tasted was the 2019 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Bliss’ Fortified Syrah (OB, 93) which is amongst the finest wines of its kind that you will taste in the state. As I am typing this I quite literally can’t wait to go back to this wine tonight with a chocolate dessert. The wine shows insanely good flavor range that you will need to taste for yourself. Learn more about these wines at https://eternalwine.com Here are the great new releases by Eternal Wine and Drink Washington State.
2016 Drink Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon- The excellent 2016 Drink Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon is very soft and approachable Cabernet Sauvignon now with layers of black tea, blackberry compote, coffee grounds and good structure. Enjoy now and over the next several years to come. Drink 2023-20228- 91
2021 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Perspective’ Grenache Blanc- The 2021 ‘Eternal Perspective’ comes from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. This is ripe and beautifully textured Grenache Blanc with sweetened gooseberry, cantaloupe, wet stone and citrus blossom water notes on the palate. Texturally gratifying, with good acidity, this really needs a warm summer day. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2020 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Insight’ Marsanne- Coming from the famed Boushey Vineyard, this Eternal Wines offering by Brad Binko offers a fresher take on the varietal. Copious minerals greet you with green papaya, unripe mango, green apple and suggestions of blue slate. Enjoy in its vibrant youth while this great sense of tension remains intact. Drink 2023-2027- 90
2017 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Discovery’ Cabernet Sauvignon- As the name might suggest, this is sourced from the Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Light garrigue notes combine with fresh black raspberry, black cherry pie and suggestions of dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Already nicely evolved, savor this now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2019 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Bliss’ Fortified Syrah- Sitting with winemaker Brad Binko last summer we both talked about our love for Port wines. This is a Port-inspired bottling that is Syrah-based and had an added neutral spirit. Everything is in balance here, with bright acidity, alcohol and flat out delicious fruit and non-fruit flavors. Without a doubt the best wine in the Eternal Wines new lineup, this is a downright killer new bottling with insane flavor range — espresso grounds, mocha, tar, worn leather, sweetened menthol — that all marvelously combine together in the glass. Don’t take my word for it, you have to try this beauty for yourself! Drink 2023-2033- 93