Today we share a Walla Walla stalwart winery. Founded in 1999 by Denise and Brett Isenhower Isenhower was the 18th winery in Walla Walla. Denise has served as general manager while her husband has been serving as the winemaker. Isenhower Cellars is one of the few medium sized Washington wineries that is 100% husband and wife owned and operated. They built their winery in 2002 and opened the Woodinville tasting room in 2009. Currently Isenhower Cellars produces 7,500 cases a year.
I was really impressed with the new Isenhower wines. Check out the 2022 Isenhower ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is rich and viscous with great floral character. Learn more about this great winery at https://isenhowercellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Isenhower wines.
2024 Isenhower ‘Francisca’s Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2024 Isenhower ‘Francisca’s Vineyard’ Viognie offers fragrant honeysuckle and white peach on the nose alongside shades of wet stone. The palate offers racy acidity with a smooth mouthfeel. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2022 Isenhower ‘Le Cadeau Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this esteemed location in Oregon, the 2022 Isenhower ‘Le Cadeau Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows translucent in the glass. Rocky soils and red florals mark the nose alongside juicy strawberry. The palate is juicy with a soft mouthfeel and loads of refreshing acidity. Drink 2025-2035- 92
2022 Isenhower ‘Rara Avis’ Grenache- The 2022 ‘Rara Avis’ Grenache comes from the Yakima Valley and has 18% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah blended in. This shows up light on its feet, loaded with bright red fruits with citrus zest, crushed gravel and shades of bergamot on the palate, with smoky undertones. This is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Isenhower ‘Rouleur’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Rouleur’ is Yakima Valley from mainly the Tudor Vineyard as well as from the Olsen Ranch. Smoked brisket and black florals fill the nose alongside suggestions of kumquat rind and rich red fruits. The palate is soft and brimming with acidity, as this medium-bodied beauty is drinking nicely now. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2021 Isenhower ‘Wild Thyme’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Wild Thyme; combines 43% Merit with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It comes off medium-bodied with black currants, tar and tobacco leaf flavors that mingle well with salty minerals on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2021 Isenhower ‘Bachelor’s Button’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Isenhower ‘Bachelor’s Button’ Cabernet Sauvignon has small parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blended in. Dried herbs and creosote mark the nose alongside pence lead, creme de cassis and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is juicy, brimming with acidity, as this is drinking nicely now. Drink 2025-2035- 92
2022 Isenhower ‘Wallula Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from this acclaimed site in the Horse Heaven Hills, this is dense, pillowy and soft on the mouth with bright acidity. Layers of creme de violette, tar, anise and shades of red bell pepper all collide with chocolate pie undertones and pencil lead on the palate. Drink 2025-2037- 93
2022 Isenhower ‘Road Less Traveled’ Cabernet Franc-Sourced from the Wallula Vineyard, this 2022 Cabernet Franc delivers medium bodied dark currant flavors alongside green peppercorns, orange bell pepper and Arabica bean on the palate. Fresh, fleshy and filled with bright acidity, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2021 Isenhower ‘A Bloc’ Malbec- The 2021 ‘A Bloc’ Malbec has 8% Petit Verdot blended in. It is inky in the glass, offering violets, tar and black licorice flavors alongside a smooth mouthfeel and a graphite edge on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92