Today we share an electric wine brand out of Walla Walla. Founded by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, MW, MS, Echolands has a stunning, must-visit new tasting room in Walla Walla. I was amazed when I visited there last year. 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 has done an amazing job taking over the winemaking program. I love the wines he formerly made at Canvasback, creating wines that have beautiful depth and flavor density — deftly showcasing the Red Mountain power and terroir.
Check out the outstanding 2024 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache (OB, 93) which is drinking so beautifully in its heady, bright youth. Learn more about this fantastic new project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.
2024 Echolands ‘Frenchman Hills Vineyard’ Riesling- Coming from this historic site in Washington, this comes form Block 01 in the vineyard. This is made with the faintest hint of residual sugar. It is round, rich and beautifully-textured on the mouth. Green apple and cantaloupe flavors parade with suggestions of juicy peach and stony nuances on the palate. Really good from this warm vintage, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 92
2024 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache- The 2024 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache shows up translucent in the glass. Wet rock and juicy strawberry tones fill the nose alongside wafts of red rose petal. The palate is rich and beautifully textured with sterling tension that runs through a core of very pretty red fruits. This is juicy and filled with minerality — and is drinking remarkably well in its youth. Drink 2026-2032- 93
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
2023 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard Block 03’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this site located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Medium-bodied kirsch and black raspberry fruits mingle well with wet rock and herbal accents on the palate. Neatly-textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 92
2023 Echolands ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The 2023 ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc offers potpourri and fresh sage on the nose alongside suggestions of dark currants and tobacco leaf. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a silky texture and good depth and concentration. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93