Walla Walla Wine Visits Seattle



By Kori ~ March 20th, 2013.

The Walla Walla Valley is one of the oldest of Washington State’s 13 AVA’s. Established in 1984, it encompasses over 1,600 vineyard acres. Located within the greater Columbia Valley AVA, the Walla Walla Valley covers the area around the town of Walla Walla, Washington, and also dips across the state-line into Oregon near Milton-Freewater. The Walla Walla Valley is now home to more than 100 wineries.

The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a winery and grower membership organization committed to furthering the awareness of the quality wineries, wines, and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley. With the goal of “Bringing Walla Walla Wines to You,” the WWVWA recently hosted tasting events in Portland and Seattle for both the trade and the public. We attended the trade tasting at McCaw Hall in Seattle last week. Given our work commitments, family obligations, and the busy schedule of a kindergartener, we haven’t been able to travel to Walla Walla recently, so this was a good opportunity for us to visit with winemakers and taste a number of Walla Walla wines all under one roof. Nevertheless, if you haven’t yet taken a wine tasting trip to Walla Walla, I highly encourage you to do so. There’s nothing like spending time in Washington wine country.

Here’s a breakdown of the wines that we tasted at the Walla Walla Wine trade tasting. Under each Quality heading, the wine name and region are listed along with price and QPR rating. Wines in bold type received a QPR rating of 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5).

Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
2010 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $89, QPR: 5

Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
2009 Tamarack Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 5
2009 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30, QPR: 5
2010 Woodward Canyon Merlot, Columbia Valley, $31, QPR: 5
2010 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $31, QPR: 5
2009 Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $35, QPR: 5
2009 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $38, QPR: 5
2008 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $28, QPR: 4
2010 Saviah Cellars Une Vallee, Walla Walla Valley, $32, QPR: 4
2009 Saviah Cellars Big Sky Cuvee, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 4
2009 Dunham Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 4
2009 Saviah Cellars Walla Walla Valley Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $45, QPR: 3
2009 Buty Winery Columbia Rediviva, Horse Heaven Hills, $50, QPR: 2
2008 Tamarack Cellars Ciel du Cheval Reserve, Red Mountain, $50, QPR: 2
2009 Cadaretta Windthrow, Columbia Valley, $50, QPR: 2

Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
2009 Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $40, QPR: 4
2011 Dusted Valley Stained Tooth Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30, QPR: 3
2009 Cadaretta Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 3
2010 Echo Ridge Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 3
2010 Dusted Valley Petite Sirah, Columbia Valley, $42, QPR: 2
2010 Echo Ridge Cellars Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $45, QPR: 1
2010 Buty Winery Rediviva of the Stones, Walla Walla Valley, $60, QPR: 1

Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
2011 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley, $16, QPR: 4
2009 Trust Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $36, QPR: 3
2010 Trust Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $30, QPR: 2
2010 Echo Ridge Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley, $52, QPR: 1

Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
NV Trust Cellars Tried and True Table Wine, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: NR


Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Merlot, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, Wine Activities/Events

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