Today we share with you one of the great consistent producers of red and white wines. Over time I have noticed a level of consistency that has been made with these wines. These are wines that embody richness, mouthfeel, texture and good underlying acidity. Do not let the screw cap enclosure trick you — these are very serious wines that age gracefully, as I have recently had wines from 2015 and 2017 that were cellaring beautifully from my personal collection.
Dusted Valley was founded by the Johnson and Braunel families who are originally from Wisconsin and have strong backgrounds in farming. They source from some of the great vineyards in Washington, including the Olsen Vineyard and Stoney Vine Vineyard. Don’t miss out on the new sparkling wine by them, the 2020 ‘Falx’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which has good verve and a smooth mousse. I love the 2022 Dusted Valley ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is a standout Chard from what I think is going to be a serious vintage for white wines in Washington State. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at https://www.dustedvalley.com Here are my reviews of the great new wines by Dusted Valley.
2020 Dusted Valley ‘Falx’ Sparkling Wine- This Blanc de Noirs bottling comes rom the Breezy Slope Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. A labor of love, this was stored on the lees for 10 months before tirage and then aged an additional 22 months on yeast before hand disgorging and bottling. A pretty light salmon color, this delivers tart red fruit flavors with hints of yellow plum and cardamom dusted brioche. Salty and really refined, enjoy this beautiful sparkling wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2022 Boomtown Chardonnay- The 2022 Boomtown Chardonnay delivers for the price. Juicy pear and apple flavors mingle well with cantaloupe and copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2026- 90
2022 Dusted Valley ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The opulent and neatly textured 2022 Dusted Valley ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Chardonnay is another outstanding edition of this wine. It comes off ripe and fat on the mouth, with bright underlying acidity. Layers of beeswax and honeydew melon combine with green apple, baking spice laced brioche and hints of papaya on the palate. Complex and delicious, with fantastic underlying verve, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2022 Dusted Valley ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- This 2022 Sauvignon Blanc comes from this Yakima Valley, slightly cooler location that sits at an elevation of 880-1,350 feet. Stored in oak barrels, this was obviously given some battonage based on the really good mouthfeel. Nutmeg dusted pie crust, almondine and shades of green melon all combine with Meyer lemon zest and nutty accents on the palate. Really good, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next five plus years. Don’t serve this beauty too cold to take in the outstanding range of flavors. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 Boomtown Merlot- This 2021 Columbia Valley Merlot delivers red cherry and cocoa powder laced red cherry aromas alongside shades of underbrush. The palate is plush and smooth, with no rough edges. Straightforward and juicy red and dark fruit flavors mingle with mierals and a neatly done texture on the palate. Sturdy, showing good weight, enjoy this outstanding value now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2021 Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2021 Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright black currant blackberry flavors alongside a smooth mouthfeel on the palate. Fruit-forward, yet nicely structured, enjoy this medium-bodied wine now. Drink 2023-2029- 90
2021 Boomtown Syrah- Dark in the glass, the 2021 Boomtown Syrah shows off violets and lavender on the palate alongside rich dark chocolate flavors. Showing good richness, length and finesse, this really good stuff for the price. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Wallywood’ Red Wine- Coming from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA, the wine combines 84% Mourvédre, with 11% Syrah, and 5% Grenache. It displays beautiful purity of red fruits once on the mouth. Layers of tobacco leaf and stony accents combine with milk chocolate flavors. Really good now, enjoy this beautiful GSM inspired wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Dusted Valley ‘BFM’ Merlot- Coming entirely from their estate Southward Vineyard, the 2020 ‘BFM’ is soft and round on the mouth, with generous black fruit and cocoa nib flavors alongside shades of coffee grounds and refined tannins. This has a large portion of Cabernet Sauvignon (18%) blended in which is really providing good structure right now. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Squirrel Tooth Alice’ Red Wine- A combination of 88% Grenache with the remainder Syrah. Coming from the Stone Tree Vineyard this displays plenty of juicy red fruit character alongside Mandarin orange rind, pipe tobacco and dusty soil flavors. Showing good poise and weight, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Barrel Thief’ Primitivo- Heady and rich, this 2021 Zinfandel was sourced from the famed Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA. They have blended in a large portion of Petite Sirah from this site. It is very nicely structured, with good weight and opulence once on the mouth. Layers of tobacco leaf and tar combine with boysenberry cordial and shades of mocha on the palate. This is already shining brightly and will go for another eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This outstanding 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has a touch of Petit Verdot (4%) blended in. Anise, dark currants and tar with tobacco leaf aromatics all fill the glass. The palate is superb, showing wonderful refinement, texture and weight, showing off the potential for great red wines made in this warm vintage. Bravo! Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Sohthwind Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- This 2021 Cabernet Franc was sourced from the Southwind Estate Vineyard and then was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. Dried herbs and dark cherry notes mark the nose alongside red rose petals and suggestions of chocolate. The palate is soft and refined with great concentration and lovely loamy soil tones, with a rich core of dark fruits and red florals. Fantastic now, enjoy this well-structured and complex bottling for at least another decade. Drink 2024-2036- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Southwind Estate Vineyard’ Malbec- This 2021 Estate Malbec bottling was stored in only 38% new French oak before bottling. Blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Petit Verdot, this shows off its inky core in the glass, revealing rich dark chocolate shavings and Turkish coffee with suggestions of creme de violette on the palate. The non-fruit flavors are really rocking right now. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Ranchis’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Ranchis’ comes from the Breezy Slope Vineyard. This fantastic new Syrah offers iron, bulls blood and rich red currant cordial flavors alongside toasty oak and dusty soils on the palate. Soft and elegant on the mouth, this is drinking marvelously even now at the three year mark. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Stained Tooth’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Stained Tooth’ Syrah comes from the Southwind, Stoney Vine and Stone Tree Vineyards. Stored in only 17% new French oak, this offers lovely briny and salty tones from the Rocks fruit, melding well with Linzer torte, crushed wet rock, violets and suggestions of black pepper dusted bacon. Complex and delicious, this has fantastic flavor and aromatics range. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Dusted Valley ‘Tall Tales’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Tall Tales’ comes from the famed Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District. Stored in only neutral oak puncheons, this opens with aromas of iodine, charcuterie and dark currants that parade with coffee grounds and green olive tapenade notes. The palate is silky smooth throughout the drinking experience, as the salty and stony accents really shine. No need to cellar this beauty. Drink 2024-2030- 94