It is my pleasure sharing the wines of Spring Valley, founded by Shari and Dean Derby. They planted vines on the land and made their first vintage in 1999. The Derbys’ son Devin Corkrum Derby served as winemaker until his passing in 2004. Serge Laville took over as winemaker and transformed the wine program.
A few years back Kate Derby, a sixth-generation family farmer and winemaker, took over the help at Spring Valley Vineyard. She has worked at Spring Valley Vineyard for much of her life. Growing up she spent summers hoeing the vineyard rows with her grandfather and racking wine with Spring Valley’s first winemaker, her uncle Devin Derby. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she began her full time career with Spring Valley in the tasting room, then on the road representing the brand across the country and finally joining the winemaking team in 2011. She did a great job with the 2022 wines. The 2023 wines are even more consistent. I love the 2023 Spring Valley ‘Fredrick’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is smooth and silky throughout the drinking experience. Learn more about these outstanding wines at springvalleyvineyard.com Here are my reviews of the fantastic new Spring Valley wines.
2023 Spring Valley ‘Uriah’ Red Wine- A gorgeous new wine, the 2023 Spring Valley ‘Uriah’ is unique to this vintage, as the ’22 was near equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Tihis vintage is 60% Cabernet Franc, and 40% Merlot. The Cabernet Franc has the upper hand right now with its Earl Grey tones alongside red bell pepper, dark currants and dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Neatly-textured and full-bodied, this is dense and delicious stuff that is already drinking beautifully. Drink 2026-2040- 94
2023 Spring Valley ‘Katherine Corkrum’ Cabernet Franc- Another sensational bottling of this wine, the 2023 Spring Valley ‘Katherine Corkrum’ Cabernet Franc shows off orange bell pepper and thyme on the nose with heady dark fruits. The palate is lush and inviting with good freshness and flavor density. Glorious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Spring Valley ‘30th Anniversary’ Merlot- Sourced from their estate vineyard, the 2023 ‘30th Anniversary’ Merlot is brimming with juicy dark fruits on the nose with shades of violets, cedar and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied and chewy with a terrific mouthfeel, and refined tannins, enjoy this outstanding bottling now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Spring Valley ‘Frederick’ Red Wine The 2022 Spring Valley ‘Frederick’ is a silky blend of 61% Cab Sauvignon with 34% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. This is bold and delicious with pencil lead tones alongside black cherry compote, sandalwood and roasted dates on the palate. Soft and refined on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2026-2040- 94
2023 Spring Valley ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah- The outstanding 2023 Spring Valley ‘Nina Lee’ Syrah offers milk chocolate, tar and scorched earth notes on the nose with light dried herbal accents. The palate is dense with an excellent mineral backbone. Fresh sage and chocolate with Arabica bean flavors combine showing excellent decadence and underlying tension. Drink 2026-2036- 94