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Owen Bargreen

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Great close up of Mary Derby, one of the outstanding winemakers in the Walla Walla Valley.

DAMA Wines

June 1, 2023

Today we highlight one of the great female-owned wineries of the Pacific Northwest. Mary Tuuri Derby has a long history in the Washington wine industry. It was all the way back in 2000 that Mary and her husband, Devin Derby, got their start in Washington wine by creating famed Spring Valley Vineyard.

DAMA was the creation of a new brand and a new beginning for Derby. She has been partnered at DAMA with Judith Shulman over the last ten years. I really have enjoyed these wines. Derby’s winemaking style is with minimal intervention and a judicious use of oak. She sources from some of the finest vineyards in Washington State.

I love the new 2022 DAMA Rose (OB, 91) which is vibrant and very fresh with a top notch texture. Even better is the incredible new 2019 DAMA ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which shows insanely good flavor range and is downright delicious stuff to savor right now. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://damawines.com Here are the great new releases by DAMA.

2022 DAMA Rose- Made from Cabernet Franc grapes, the beautifully textured and soft 2022 DAMA Rose is another killer new bottling by winemaker Mary Derby. This comes off very refined and elegant on the palate with plenty of stony minerals that combine with shades of kumquat zest, red raspberry and guava puree. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 DAMA Grenache Blanc- Fresh and vibrant, the 2022 Grenache Blanc displays loads of bright acidity once on the mouth. Kiwi and gooseberry flavors parade alongside copious minerals and shades of citrus blossom water on the palate. This is a really great wine for a hot summer day. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2021 DAMA ‘GSM’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘GSM’ is a killer Grenache-dominant Southern Rhone-inspired wine that is already nicely evolved with its pure red fruit flavors and silky mouthfeel. Layers of Bing cherry, cigar box, scorched earth and notes of menthol all come together wonderfully on the palate. Very fresh and vibrant, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2018 DAMA Cabernet Franc- The delicious 2018 DAMA Cabernet Franc was aged for 22 months in 100% French Oak (50% new) before bottling. Black plum and wild blackberry combine with violets on the palate. The sense of balance here is exceptionally good. Smooth throughout the drinking experience, this is beautiful Cabernet Franc that is already wonderfully evolved. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2019 DAMA ‘Stoney VIne Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from a cooler vintage, this 2019 ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah offers terrific flavor range. Iodine, boysenberry and black olive tapenade combine with Mandarin orange rind, white pepper dusted bacon and shades of charcuterie on the palate. There is nothing quite like this site and this is a beautiful expression that is drinking right in its sweet spot. Drink 2023-2030- 94

2021 DAMA ‘Lonesome Springs Ranch’ Syrah- Very complex the 2021 ‘Lonesome Springs Ranch’ Syrah shows beautiful range on the nose from red rose petals to smoked brisket alongside green olives and a great core of red fruits. Medium-bodied and plump once on the mouth, this shows loads of mouth-watering acidity that combines with a beautiful core of raspberry and cranberry fruits with tilled soil and pipe tobacco undertones. Drink 2023-2030- 92

← Leonetti Cellar Single Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonRobert Biale Vineyards →
 

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