Fall Line Winery: Current and Upcoming Releases



By Kori ~ October 29th, 2014.

Recently, we had the pleasure to catch up with winemaker Tim Sorenson and taste through Fall Line Winery’s current and upcoming releases. We tasted six of their current releases and also previewed three other wines that will be released in the fall of 2015. While we were very impressed with all nine wines, we thought that the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2012 Red Willow Vineyard were truly outstanding.

Tim and his wife Nancy Rivenburgh founded Fall Line Winery in 2003. Located in South Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, the winery was officially licensed and bonded in 2004. Both Tim and Nancy are avid skiers and the name “Fall Line” refers to the natural line of descent on a slope. Tim is a retired economics professor. For years, he balanced his day job at Seattle University with his budding wine career. He completed an Introduction to Winemaking course at the University of California-Davis in 2000 and has never looked back. Tim met many local winemakers during his time working at a wine shop in downtown Seattle that led to a two-year ‘vinternship’ with Ben Smith at Cadence Winery from 2002 to 2004. The 2003 vintage was Fall Line’s inaugural commercial release. Fall Line produces about 1,800 to 2,000 cases annually.

The core of Fall Line’s lineup is comprised of three single-vineyard wines, all classic Bordeaux-style red blends. They also produce a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Tempranillo, and another red blend called Exhibition. Fall Line partners with three of the most well-regarded vineyards in Washington State, all located in the Yakima Valley AVA, Artz Vineyard, Boushey Vineyard, and Red Willow Vineyard.

Artz Vineyard, owned by grower Fred Artz, is located on Red Mountain adjacent to the famed Klipsun Vineyard. In fact, Artz was the vineyard manager of Klipsun for 20 years. Fall Line has used fruit from Artz Vineyard since 2004.

Boushey Vineyard is located in the central Yakima Valley, which is relatively cooler than Red Mountain. Owner Dick Boushey, one of the most respected growers in Washington State, has been producing much sought after fruit for over 30 years. Fall Line has partnered with Boushey Vineyard since 2003, and Dick planted a block of Tempranillo especially for Fall Line in 2007.

Red Willow Vineyard, which sits in the northwest corner of the Yakima Valley AVA, is located on the fourth-generation family farm established by grower Mike Sauer’s grandfather-in-law in the 1920’s. The iconic Monsignor Chapel sits atop Red Willow’s highest hill, built with native stones from the farm. Fall Line has been working with Red Willow since 2008 and introduced its Red Willow Vineyard Red Wine in 2010.

If you have not yet tried any Fall Line wines, I encourage you to seek them out. Not only are they excellent, but they deliver serious bang for your buck as well. Fall Line holds an open house for its mailing list members on the third Saturday in November each year. Other than that event, the winery is open by appointment only.

Current Releases:

2011 Fall Line Winery Artz Vineyard Red Wine (Artz Vineyard, Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Washington): 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red in color. Beautiful nose with red and black fruit and cinnamon stick aromas. Black cherry, leather, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long, slightly hot, finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $30

2011 Fall Line Winery Boushey Vineyard Red Wine (Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): 36% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petit Verdot. Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose but a bit tight at first. Black fruit, smoked meat, and game come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity, and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a very long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $30

2011 Fall Line Winery Red Willow Vineyard Red Wine (Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): 47% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purplish red. Gorgeous nose with blackberry, black cherry, and spice aromas. Fruit-forward with loads of cherry and spice as well as a touch of earth and herbal notes. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and high tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $30

2012 Fall Line Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley, Washington): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple in color. Nice nose with black fruit and floral notes. Blackcurrant, black cherry, leather, and smoked meat come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high tannins. Big and bold yet very smooth. Well-balanced with a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $30

2012 Fall Line Winery Exhibition Red Wine (Yakima Valley, Washington): 28% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 21% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Tempranillo. Deep, dark red. Nice nose but a bit tight. Black and red fruit and a touch of spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish. Fruit-forward and very approachable.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $22

2012 Fall Line Winery Tempranillo (Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): 100% Tempranillo. Deep purplish red. Nice nose with black fruit and floral notes. Black fruit, leather, smoked meat, and a touch of black pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity, and big, bold tannins.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $22

Upcoming Releases:

2012 Fall Line Winery Artz Vineyard Red Wine (Artz Vineyard, Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Washington): 50% Cabernet Franc, 46% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red. Nice nose with red and black fruit aromas. Bright fruit, especially red and black cherry, come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $35 [to be released Fall 2015]

2012 Purple Cafe Red Wine (Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): Special wine produced exclusively for Purple Cafe by Fall Line Winery. 45% Merlot, 27% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple. Nice nose with black fruit aromas. Fruit-forward with bright, black cherry on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: n/a
Where to buy: Purple Cafe, $n/a [to be released Fall 2015]

2012 Fall Line Winery Red Willow Vineyard Red Wine (Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington): 36% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark purple in color. Gorgeous nose with luscious black fruit aromas. Black cherry, blackberry, earth, leather, spice, and a hint of black pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with good complexity, and a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $35 [to be released Fall 2015]


Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Tempranillo, Vineyards, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25, Wines Under $25

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