Wine Rasa
I was really impressed with both these efforts and I think these are among the best new wines coming out of Walla Walla.
Sean Boyd is the winemaker/owner of Rotie Cellars. Knowing that we are on the lookout for other sources of Mourvedre and Grenache, Sean had invited us to barrel sample his Alder Ridge Mourvedre and Grenache.
On the morning of 3/2, Billo and I headed to Waters Winery (Sean’s the assistant winemaker) where Rotie Cellars has its barrels.
Sean poured us a bunch of ’08 barrel samples. I don’t remember them all now but I do remember liking the Pepper Bridge Syrah and the Alder Ridge Mourvedre quite a bit.
After the barrel tasting, Sean poured us two of his finished wines – the 2007 Northern Rhone Blend and the 2007 Southern Rhone Blend. The Northern Rhone Blend is 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier; the Southern Rhone Blend is 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Mourvédre.
I was really impressed with both these efforts and I think these are among the best new wines coming out of Walla Walla. Both are priced at $35.