Set in the backdrop of the Blue Mountains, Kinhaven is crafting some really impressive wines. Kasey and Cameron Davenport serve as Kinhaven proprietors and have been in Walla Walla for many years. Kasey and Cameron’s are originally from Northern Michigan. They both had a diverse past to get to Walla Walla. Kasey was formerly a wedding and event planner while Cameron has formerly worked as a chef on yachts, eventually becoming a captain.
They were amazed by the richness of the Walla Walla Valley and their family eventually launched Kinhaven several years back. Wines are made by Cameron, who has painted a beautiful story from the warmer 2023 vintage.
I was extremely impressed with the overall lineup which comes from mainly the 2023 vintage. Wines are well-structured and powerful with a beginning, middle and end. Check out the outstanding 2024 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Viognier (OB, 93) which is viscous and dense with terrific flavor and aromatic range. Learn more at https://kinhavenwinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Kinhaven wines.
2024 Kinhaven ‘Columbia Gorge’ Chardonnay- The 2024 Kinhaven ‘Columbia Gorge’ Chardonnay is a bright and thoughtful effort, with loads of saline drenched peaches and tropical fruits on the palate, with nutty nuances. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2026-2032- 92
2024 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Viognier- A really good rendition, the 2024 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Viognier offers honeysuckle and orange blossom on the nose alongside shades of green melon and nectarine. The palate is both viscous and well-structured, showing amazing freshness, weight and length. A totally delightful bottling to enjoy now, watch this evolve over the next six to eight years. Drink 2026-2033- 93
2025 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Rose- Pale in the glass, the 2025 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Rose offers melon and pretty red fruits on the nose that dance with orange peel accents. The palate is laden with minerality and texture, as this is seamless, delicious and mouth-watering Rose that is best enjoyed not too warm. Drink 2026-2032- 92
2023 Kinhaven ‘The Bossy Badger’ Red Wine- The 2023 Kinhaven ‘The Bossy Badger’ Red Wine is inviting, polished and smooth on the mouth, with good freshness. A delicious core of black fruits greets you alongside pipe tobacco, milk chocolate and wintergreen accents. The working parts are singing in unison here. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Kinhaven ‘Estate’ Merlot- Showing great varietal typicity, the 2023 Kinhaven ‘Estate’ Merlot is soft and smooth on the mouth. Chocolate covered black cherry and sagebrush tones combine with good minerality and pencil lead notes on the palate.Well-structured, and medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 92
2024 Kinhaven ‘Columbia Valley’ Carmenere- The 2024 Kinhaven ‘Columbia Valley’ Carmenere offers green herbs, bulls blood and beef drippings on the nose with black currants. The palate is lively and inviting with a smooth texture and good sense of length. A really good rendition of this wine, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Kinhaven ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 Kinhaven ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers anise, red bell pepper and thyme notes on the nose with heady blackberry fruits. The palate is polished, round and rich with good acidity and a great core of non-fruit character like iodine, graphite and stony minerals. Drink 2026-2038- 93
2023 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Petit Verdot- The 2023 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Petit Verdot comes off inky in the glass, delivering refined tannins and serious structure. An inky core of black and blue fruits collide with stony minerals and green herbal accents on the palate. Seriously good, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038 93
2023 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Malbec- The delicious 2023 Kinhaven ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Malbec shows tar and scorched earthy notes on the palate with herbal and pencil lead accents. Full-bodied, with outstanding structure and weight, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2026-2038- 93