Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
Kerloo Cellars: The Call of the Cranes
By Kori ~ March 5th, 2012.
Ryan and Renee Crane own Kerloo Cellars, located in Walla Walla, Washington. Ryan and Renee relocated from Seattle to Walla Walla to pursue their winemaking dream. Shortly after moving to Walla Walla, Ryan earned an AAAS in Enology and Viticulture. He gained experience working crush under Marie-Eve Gilla at Forgeron Cellars and then served as assistant winemaker at Va Piano for three years before focusing his efforts solely on building Kerloo. His experience and contacts in the industry have helped him secure some prized vineyard sources and to hit the ground running with his own winery. Incidentally, Kerloo is the call of the crane.
Recently, we had the opportunity to taste Kerloo’s current releases from the 2009 vintage, the 2009 Walla Walla Valley Syrah, the 2009 Les Collines Syrah, and the 2009 Tempranillo, in a blind samples tasting. All three wines are very good, but the Walla Walla Valley Syrah really stood out. It is an outstanding wine.
Kerloo Cellars is definitely a winery to watch. If you are in the Walla Walla area, you should definitely visit the Kerloo tasting room. And even if you aren’t able to visit, be sure to try some Kerloo wines.
2009 Kerloo Cellars Walla Walla Valley Syrah (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. Dark purple in color. Gorgeous nose with black fruit, black pepper, and a hint of bell pepper aromas. Blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, spice, and cocoa come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $34
2009 Kerloo Cellars Tempranillo (Columbia Valley, Washington): Deep purplish red. Aromatic with black fruit and barnyard notes on the nose. More black fruit, caramel, and earth come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with medium to high, drying tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $34; Available elsewhere, $34
2009 Kerloo Cellars Les Collines Syrah (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): Dark purple in color. Aromatic with plum, blackberry, black pepper, and spice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $34; Available elsewhere, $34
Filed under: American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Tempranillo, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25
