Current Releases from Fjellene Cellars in Walla Walla



By Kori ~ November 5th, 2012.

Fjellene Cellars is a small, family-owned winery located in Walla Walla, Washington. Owner/winemaker Matthew Erlandson founded Fjellene Cellars in 2008. Prior to going out on his own, Matthew worked as assistant winemaker at Beresan Winery and Balboa Winery under Tom Glase. Before his winemaking days, Matthew spent thirteen years as an outdoor educator and mountain guide. Fittingly, Fjellene, pronounced Fyel-LAY-Nuh, means “mountains” in Norwegian. Given Matthew’s background and interest in the outdoors, it is no surprise that he is committed to minimizing the impact that his winery has on the environment and working towards sustainability.

Recently, we had the opportunity to taste six of Fjellene’s current releases in a blind samples tasting. All of the wines were good, but we were especially impressed with the 2010 Syrah. It is co-fermented with Viognier, and the grapes are sourced from Les Collines and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.

If you have not had any Fjellene wines, I encourage you to give them a try if you have the opportunity. They are limited production and self-distributed. And if you find yourself in Walla Walla, be sure to visit the tasting room located on their 8-acre estate vineyard south of town that is open on Fridays and Saturdays or by appointment.

2010 Fjellene Cellars Syrah (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier. Deep, dark purplish red. Very aromatic with beautiful blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, and spice on the nose. Black fruit, black pepper, and cocoa come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $29; Available elsewhere, $26

2009 Fjellene Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Waliser Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, Washington): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Deep, dark red in color. Nice nose with blackcurrant, leather, earth, and a touch of barnyard aromas. Blackcurrant and slight vegetal notes come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $35; Available elsewhere, $30

2010 The Stranger Red Wine (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): Deep, dark red. Nice nose with black fruit and clove aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high, dry tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $26

2011 Fjellene Cellars Rosé (Art Den Hoed Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Syrah. Medium pinkish salmon in color. Aromatic with strawberry and watermelon on both the nose and palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long, slightly bitter, finish. Residual Sugar: 0.094%
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $18

2008 Fjellene Cellars The South Col Blend Red Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Franc. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with earth, eucalyptus, black fruit, and a tough of mint on both the nose and palate. Dry and medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $32

2008 Fjellene Cellars The North Col Blend Red Wine (Waliser Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, Washington): 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with black cherry, oak, and vegetal notes on the nose. More black fruit and vegetal notes as well as mint come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $32


Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

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