A hidden gem of Walla Walla, Devona is a world-class producer of Washington and Oregon wines. What began back in college at Oregon State University, Devona is the brainchild of John and Molly Abbott who formerly founded famed Walla Walla house Abeja. Before starting his own winery John worked for famed sites including Pine Ridge as well as Acacia where he was exposed to making world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He spent ten years with Canoe Ridge Vineyard and 13 years with Abeja, before founding Devona.
The winery sources from a range of famed sites throughout the Pacific Northwest. While at Abeja, John had a national reputation for crafting world-class Chardonnay. I love the new 2022 Devona ‘Rainmaker Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is salty and beautifully textured. Check out the soft and delightful 2020 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is an awesome wine from a tough vintage. Learn more about this fantastic brand of wines at http://www.devona.net and here are my tasting notes on the glorious new Devona wines.
2022 Devona ‘White Salmon Vineyard Chardonnay- A new wine for me in their portfolio, the 2022 ‘White Salmon Vineyard’ was sourced from this steep site ranging from 900-1200 feet. This is lithe, polished and neatly textured stuff that offers white grapefruit zest, cardamom dusted pie crust and shades of white peach on the palate. Juicy and round, enjoy this mineral-laden bottling now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Devona ‘Rainmaker Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay is comes from the Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. This is a high elevation site that is a cool climate for the state. This is loaded with texture and salty minerals on the palate with citrus rind and rich pear and nectarine fruit flavors. Well-constructed, this has the weight and tension to cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2022 Devona ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a mostly Pommard clonal selection bottling that is rich with lovely earthy nuance now. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this shows off cloves and red currants on the nose alongside menthol and dusty soil notes. The palate is rich and layered with serious concentration and verve. A glorious core of loganberry and cherry fruits greet you with kumquat zest and damp soils with suggestions of black truffle shavings. Complex and delicious, this is the best Oregon bottling that I have tasted yet from Devona — a total stunner! Drink 2024-2040- 95
2022 Devona ‘Mount Richmond Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Devona ‘Mount Richmond Vineyard’ Pinot Noir come form the Elk Cove estate vineyard. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this offers a gorgeous array of black fruit flavors, with refined tannins and excellent underlying verve. Medium to full0bodied, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years. Be sure to give this beauty an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2020 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2020 ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot is an awesome wine made in a tough vintage. Dense and delicious, this comes off very clean and elegant once on the mouth. Loaded with mocha, tar, black cherry and milk chocolate flavors, the silky texture really makes this glide throughout the drinking experience. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 94
2018 Devona ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2018 Devona ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mainly new French oak barrels before bottling. Once on the nose his takes on layers of creme de cassis, pencil lead, espresso grounds and violets that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush and dense with a gorgeous melange of black and blue fruits alongside dusty soils and refined tannins. Full-bodied but also very elegant throughout the drinking experience, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2018 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another generous and delicious bottling, the 2018 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon plantings that yield very small berries. The wine begins very smooth on the approach, with soft tannins and a seamless texture. Black cherry compote, tar, menthol and fresh sage all combine on the palate. Showing some serious viscosity and flavor density, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2018 Devona ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-The brilliant 2018 Devona ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this famed site that set on Red Mountain. This is an already beautifully evolved wine now at the six year mark. Coffee grounds and scorched earth notes mark the palate alongside graphite, black currants and shades of salty soils. Enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 95