I fondly recall tasting at Walla Walla Vintners many years back. It was packed in their tiny tasting room as people ventured near and far to taste their rather fabulous lineup of wines. That was some 15 years ago and fast forward to today, the winery is constructing a brand new tasing room alongside their spacious outdoor confines. It is hard to believe that Walla Walla Vintners began all the way back in 1995 just a few years before I moved to Whitman College. The current proprietors, Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they were excited to get the chance to be the new stewards of the iconic red barn and Cut Bank Estate vineyard. Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse.
I have been really impressed with the latest wines from winemaker Derrek Vipond. Derrek has a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, and has worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019.
The new wines are awesome. I love the new 2022 Walla Walla Vintners Rose (OB, 91) which is fresh and vibrant with a polished texture. Do not miss out on the outstanding 2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which shows really good depth and flavor range from this somewhat difficult vintage. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners.
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Rose- A beautiful salmon color, the 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Rose offers a soft mouthfeel with really good flavor range — think pink bubblegum to orange rind, as well as wet stone, hay and cantaloupe notes. This is fantastic stuff that has both the stuffing and finesse to last another five to seven years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Malbec- Coming mostly from the high-elevation Les Collines vineyard, the 2020 ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Malbec is inky dark in the glass. Rich black and blue fruits parade with graphite, copious minerals and stony undercurrents on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that will age beautifully over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2019 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 ‘Walla Walla Valley Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a great new edition from this challenging vintage. This comes off wonderfully herbal with fresh sage and thyme notes alongside black currants, menthol and shades of black licorice. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of finesse, this is quite simply a beautiful wine that should age well for more than another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley Cut Bank Estate Vineyard’ Syrah shows beautiful finesse with ripe dark currants, white pepper dusted smoked meats, mocha and tar tones on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Red Blend- This is a blend of mostly Syrah (52%) with 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Very soft and approachable on the mouth, this delivers downright delicious rope dark fruit and chocolate flavors with sagebrush accents. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2020 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from a range of vineyards in Walla Walla, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers shows black tea and Asian spices on the nose with suggestions of roasted dates. The palate is fresh and polished with a soft mouthfeel and good length. This is really delicious, well-structured wine. Drink 2023-2032- 92