A brand founded by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, MW, MS, Echolands is an electric destination winery with a stunning new tasting room in Walla Walla. Doug Frost has an illustrious wine career, and is one of three individuals in the world to hold simultaneously the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, achieving his MS in 1991 and MW in 1993. He also authored ‘The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009’) and is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails.
Winemaker Brian Rudin was hired roughly a year ago to take over the winemaking program. He did incredible work at Canvasback, creating wines that have beautiful depth and flavor density — deftly showcasing the Red Mountain power and terroir.
The new wines were very good across the board. I love the 2024 Echolands Rose of Grenache (OB, 91) which is very pretty and nicely textured stuff. I really love the 2022 Echolands ‘Les Collines Vineyard Block 50’ Syrah (OB, 93) which comes from a single block and has some of there great vineyard character, with herbal nuances, that you find from Les Collines. Learn more about this fantastic project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.
2024 Echolands Rose of Cabernet Franc-Sourceed from the Taggart Estate Vineyard, this 2024 Rose was aged for 5 months in neutral oak barrels before bottling. It is bright and mineral-laden with a smooth mouthfeel. Damp earth flavors collide with tangerine peel and shades of wild strawberry on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 90
2024 Echolands Rose of Grenache- Sourced from the McKinley Springs Vineyard, this 2024 Rose was aged for five months in concrete before bottling. It is filled with marvelous tension and very pretty red fruits that mingle well with orange zest and copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 91
2024 Echolands ‘Albus’ White Wine- The 2024 ‘Albus’ is a left bank-inspired white wine, with 82% Sauvignon Blanc and the remainder Semillon. Nutmeg dusted pear and cashew nut flavors mingle well with green papaya and dried herbs on the palate. Really well-made with a soft mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2024 Echolands ‘Angiolina Vineyard’ Albarino- This 2024 Albarino was stored in a combination on of neutral and stainless barrels before bottling. Only 89 cases are made. Neatly-textured, this delivers green tea and pie crust flavors that combine with shades of salted mango on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2024 Echolands ‘Semi-Carbonic’ Cinsault- The very novel 2024 ‘Semi-Carbonic’ Cinsault was stored for five months in a combination of new and neutral oak before bottling. It comes off very bright and juicy on the tongue, loaded with underlying finesse. A smooth mouthfeel greets you, as bright red fruits parade with salty minerals and kumquat rind notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2024 Echolands ‘McKinley Springs Vineyard’ Cinsault- The 2024 Echolands ‘McKinley Springs Vineyard’ Cinsault has 11% Syrah blended in. This is soft and very seamless throughout the drinking experience. Guava puree, strawberry and Yakima cherry flavors mingle well with the soft mouthfeel and good length on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot has 15% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Stored in a combination of neutral and new French oak this delivers a dark core in the glass. Fresh herbs and dark currants fill the nose alongside chocolate and shades of salty soils. The palate is beautifully balanced, round and generous on the mouth. This has good weight considering the coolness of the vintage. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard Block 03’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard Block 03’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from this famed location in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. This is well-balanced and poised with medium-bodied dark fruits that mingle well with fresh sage and stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 92
2022 Echolands ‘Groundswell’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Groundswell’ comes from the Taggart Vineyard and is mainly Cabernet Franc (64%) with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a nicely balanced, medium-bodied effort with black tea and exotic spices alongside mocha and light to medium bodied dark fruits. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2022 Echolands ‘Les Collines Vineyard Block 50’ Syrah- The 2022 Echolands ‘Les Collines Vineyard Block 50’ Syrah comes off stony and savory on the mouth. Showing good texture and underlying finesse, pretty dark fruits mingle well with fresh sage, graphite, tar, and hints of creme de violette on the palate. Very complex and well-made, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2033- 93