I just took a brief trip to Walla Walla, Washington and the Orgeon coast. I stopped in a few wineries in Walla, Walla. I got some free tastes and brought home some bottles.
The first place I went was Russell Creek. I liked the 2001 Winemaker's Select merlot and bought a bottle. (USD36). It had nice fruit and tannin and I thought it would ages nicely for a few years. I thought some of the other wines were either too simple or had too much exposure to wood.
The next place I went was Dunham Cellars. I guess they are a pretty well known winery but I just moved from Atlanta, Georgia where they aren't known much at all. I thought the cabernet sauvignon was nice but the fruit was kind of flat and reserved and the tannins were just fair. Not very complex. I bought the 2001 Syrah (USD45) to try later.
I read a bit about Northstar and was impressed with the description so I bought a bottle of the 2000 Merlot in a shop in town. It was USD55.
Next, I stopped by at L'Ecole 41. I know their wines get great reviews but I just was not impressed. I had a bottle of merlot and a bottle of cabernet sauvignon from them in the last year and I thought they had simple fruit, and just out of whack -- very much like the Dunham cabernet sauvignon. I don't really know how to describe it -- but I was not impressed -- especially at the price.
I then went next door to Woodward Canyon and tried various bottlings of their cabernet sauvignon. I bought a bottle of the 2000 Artist Series (USD45). I tasted it at the winery and I was quite impressed. Much more depth and sophistication than the L'Ecole. The old vines cabernet was evern better, but I didn't want to spend anymore money.
I had a great meal and had the best wine of the trip that night. I had a Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot that was fantastic. I'd tried one of their reds last year and really liked it. This one was even better. Too bad the winery was closed the day I was there. I will definitely buy some from retail. A big, complex mouthful that really lasts. I can't remember which vineyard I drank -- I'll have to try them all. And their prices are a little better -- around USD20 or so.
I missed out on Cayuse -- and I really enjoyed a Syrah from them last year -- but their prices a getting way too high.
Anyone know anything about any of the above wines -- particularly Russell Creek or Dunham? I'd interested in other folks' experiences in Walla Walla.
I can't wait to visit the Willamette Valley wineries but I spent four days on the coast.
Rob Adelson