A Walla Walla icon, Spring Valley Vineyards is located on old Walla Walla farm land that dates all the way back to the 1880s. It was roughly 100 years later that Shari and Dean Derby planted vines on the land and made their first vintage in 1999. The Derbys’ son Devin Corkrum Derby served as winemaker until his passing in 2004. He made some beautiful wines that I enjoyed very much.
Devin’s assistant and friend Serge Laville took over as winemaker and has been crafting some beautiful wines for many years. Their new winemaker is Kate Derby, a sixth-generation family farmer and winemaker who has taken the helm Spring Valley Vineyard. She has worked at Spring Valley Vineyard for much of her life. Growing up she spent summers hoeing the vineyard rows with her grandfather and racking wine with Spring Valley’s first winemaker, her uncle Devin Derby. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she began her full time career with Spring Valley in the tasting room, then on the road representing the brand across the country and finally joining the winemaking team in 2011. I love the 2021 Spring Valley ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is full-bodied and deep with a pillowy texture. Even better is the fabulous 2021 Spring Valley ‘Uriah’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which unlike the last edition focuses only on Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Learn more about these outstanding wines at springvalleyvineyard.com
Here are my reviews of the fantastic new Spring Valley wines.
2021 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Frederick’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Frederick’ is a gorgeous proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is medium to full-bodied and shows wonderful balance. Rich dark chocolate shavings and blackberry compote flavors combine with black tea and Asian spices. Enjoy this beautifully balanced wine now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 93
2021 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Uriah’ Red Wine- The 2021 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Uriah’ is a a stunning blend of 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. Unlike the last wine there is no Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Generous and sturdy, this displays good tension alongside red bell pepper, mocha, anise and shades of tar with cassis accents. Full-bodied and very delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94
2021 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Katherine Corkrum’ Cabernet Franc- This beautiful 2021 Cabernet Franc is named after Katherine Williams who was born in Wales and then later came all the way to Walla Walla, marrying Uriah Corkrum. This is a world-class bvbottling that is notches ahead of the 2019 edition. Orange bell pepper with blackberry compote, Black Forest cake and shades of black licorice all combine on the palate. Beautifully textured with good weight and underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Spring Valley Vineyards ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Nina Lee’ is named after a famous Pacific Northwest dancer that performed in the roaring twenties. Aged for 30 months in French 500 Liter puncheons and stainless steel, this is inky in the glass, delivering white pepper dusted brisket, anise, and Hoisin sauce on the nose alongside shades of roasted duck. The palate is plush and soft with serious texture and refined tannins. A glorious core of black fruits greet you as this generous wine is drinking beautifully right now. Also notches above the 201 edition. Drink 2024-2034- 94