It is my pleasure to present one of the outstanding 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. The wines that they made were seriously good.
Derby had a complete new beginning by forming DAMA, partnering with Judith Shulman. The wines are beautiful with minimal oak or intervention. She makes a beautiful Syrah from the Rocks district and a consistently great Rose. She sources from some of the finest vineyards in Washington State.
I love the new 2023 DAMA Rose (OB, 92) which shows a beautiful purity of fruit with damp earthy notes. This is vibrant stuff to satisfy any lover of Washington Rose. The best wine I tasted was the incredible 2019 DAMA ‘Heather Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which shows good poise and concentration with loads of nuance. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://damawines.com Here are the great new releases by DAMA.
2023 DAMA Grenache Blanc- This 2023 Grenache Blanc revels in its peach and lemon blossom notes on the nose alongside shades of ripe pear. The palate is soft and refined with a bright sense of tension and rich mouthfeel. Really enjoyable now, savor this beauty over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 DAMA Rose- The 2023 DAMA Rose is a brilliant new bottling made from Cabernet Franc grapes. This comes off wonderfully fresh and fragrant with damp earth nuances that combine with the core of pretty red fruits. This is absolutely delicious stuff with its guava and cranberry flavors. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2022 DAMA Grenache- This beatify 2022 Grenache come from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. Pretty cranberry and red cherry flavors combine with shades of ripe peach and red currants on the palate, with salty minerals. Enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 DAMA ‘GSM’ Red Wine- Mainly Grenache (56%), this offers garrigue, red currants, milk chocolate and compost flavors that combine with a good sense of weight and minerality. With more air smoked meats and creosote tones add to the intrigue. This is complex and delicious GSM style wine. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 DAMA Merlot- Sourced from First Light Vineyards, the 2021 DAMA Merlot shows sandalwood, tar, and menthol notes alongside rich dark fruits. The palate is very smooth and refined with good depth and sense of weight, with damp soil and salty nuances. Beautiful stuff to consume now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2019 DAMA ‘Heather Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A gorgeous wine to consume now, the 2019 ‘Heather Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers roasted figs, black currants and red bell pepper on the palate, alongside good richness and a refined sense of verve. Medium to full-bodied, savor this downright delicious 2019 Cabernet now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94