I very fondly recall my first visit to Walla Walla Vintners. It was 2007 and we were just starting the financial crisis. I opened the door to a small tasting room and was flooded by people. The entire room was packed! These wines have been receiving some really good reviews and I seemed to know why. So did everyone else! Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they are the new owners of this house and their Cut Bank Estate vineyard. Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse. I can’t wait to see their new winery space which has been recently completed.
Winemaker Derrek Vipond is a is a native Washingtonian who started his career at Walla Walla Community College in the Enology and Viticulture program. After completing his education with a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, Derrek worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019. He trained under Gilles Nicault and his wines are very structurally sound, with a beginning, middle and end.
I loved the last set of his wines and the new wines are brilliant. Don’t miss the 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese (OB, 91) which is one of the best Sangiovese wines from Washington that I have tasted in the past year. I adored the 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is dense and delicious wine that is drinking marvelously now. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners.
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Woven Fields’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Woven Fields’ is mainly Merlot and Syrah with smaller portions Syrah and Malbec. Anise, black currants and pencil lead all mark the nose alongside shades of blackberry compote. The palate is well-balanced and poised with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of tension. A killer value, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- The 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese is translucent in the glass with layers of white pepper and tobacco leaf that mingle well with shades of creosote and red raspberry. The palate is soft and delicious with juicy red fruits that mingle well with orange peel and herbal accents. Medium-bodied, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 91.
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- The outstanding 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot offers tar, sagebrush and tobacco leaf on the nose alongside shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is smooth and elegant with a refined texture and good depth. Generous and delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 93
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc shows beautiful black and red florals on the nose alongside espresso bean and shades of black licorice. The palate is plush and elegant with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors alongside chocolate pie and garrigue accents. Drink 2025-2037- 92
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows anise and dark currants on the nose alongside wild blackberry and shades of milk chocolate. The palate is refined and elegant with medium-bodied dark fruits that parade with nutmeg, kirsch and coffee ground notes. Elegant and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 92
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Walla Wlala Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers tar and sweet tobacco leaf on the nose alongside shades of cedar and creme de cassis. The palate is bold and concentrated with terrific tension and a smooth mouthfeel. Medium to full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Cut Bank Estate’ comes from this higher elevation site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Inky in the glass, this offers a beautiful melange of black and blue fruits on the nose with dark rose petals and shades of fresh sage. The palate is round and opulent with great tension and flavor density. Beautifully textured, with firm tannins holding things together, enjoy now and over the next twenty years. This is arguably the finest wine ever made at this estate. Drink 2024-2044- 95
2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Vottano’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Vottano’ comes from the Cut Bank Estate in the Walla Walla Valley.This blend is nearly all Sangiovese (89%) with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise and dried herbs mark the nose alongside suggestions of menthol and red currants. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying finesse. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this famed site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the 2022 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah delivers good concentration and finesse, showing stony accents that meld well with blackberry compote and black cherry pie, with chocolate and coffee grounds. Decadent and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2038- 94