Washington 2018 reds: top-scoring wines from Walla Walla Valley
The Walla Walla Valley has over 100 wineries and is home to some of the state’s oldest wineries. Dr Owen Bargreen takes a detailed look at the AVA and selects his best Walla Walla Valley 2018 red wines.
A warmer site that focuses on Bordeaux varietals, the Walla Walla Valley AVA dates back to 1850 grape growing by Italian immigrants.
The Walla Walla Valley has over 100 wineries and a total vineyard area of 1,186 hectares, of which 676 hectares is planted in Washington and the rest across the state border on Oregon.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Walla Walla Valley 2018 red wines
The region is also known for its wheat and onion production.
The region is home to some of the state’s oldest wineries including Leonetti Cellar (first of this region founded in 1977) as well as Woodward Canyon and L’Ecole No 41.
The valley has the highest concentration of wineries in Washington.
Washington 2018 red wines: full report and top-scoring wines
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Individual analysis by AVA:
Columbia Valley | Horse Heaven Hills | Red Mountain | Yakima Valley
Plus: Top-value Washington 2018 reds – the best to buy
Many vines here are planted on Loess soils, although the ancient cobblestone soils of the Walla Walla Rocks AVA of Milton-Freewater produce enigmatic, world-class Syrah that is all its own. Cabernet Sauvignon is the main variety planted while Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are other predominant varieties.
Bordeaux grapes show dense black fruits, pushing blue fruit character depending on the vintage. Many wines also possess earthy, sagebrush character. Quite simply the 2018 reds from this region are among the best in the state.
Growing degree days typically range from 190 to 220 days, with annual rainfall averaging 32cm a year. At times the early and late frosts of the growing season pose an issue to winemakers.
More recently the valley has seen an increase in high-elevation plantings as a mitigating factor to combat frost.
High-elevation plantings also seem to show more bright acidity and more herbal undertones for Bordeaux varietals but even more noticeably in Syrah.
Top Walla Walla Valley producers:
- Doubleback
- Sleight of Hand
- Delmas
- Reynvaan
- Leonetti Cellar
The top-scoring Walla Walla Valley 2018 red wines
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Leonetti Cellar, Reserve, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with equal parts Malbec and Petit Verdot, the wine saw 22 months in new and once-used French oak barrels...
2018
Leonetti CellarColumbia Valley
Figgins, Estate Red Wine, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Inky and brooding once in the glass this is quite simply the best wine ever produced by this estate. Needing an hour in the decanter,...
2018
FigginsColumbia Valley
Doubleback, Estate Reserve, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
This incredible wine was aged in a combination of French oak and Italian concrete vessels prior to bottling. Once in the mouth the wine is...
2018
DoublebackColumbia Valley
Leonetti Cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Merlot and smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the wine saw 22 months of barrel...
2018
Leonetti CellarColumbia Valley
Reynvaan, Foothills Reserve, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Truly one of the unique wines in Washington State, the Foothills Reserve is sourced from the Reynvaan ‘Foothills In The Sun Vineyard’ in the lower...
2018
ReynvaanColumbia Valley
Delmas, Syrah, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A silky smooth effort. Layers of pretty red fruits greet you, with shades of rose water, umami, bulls blood beetroot, white truffle shaving and Mandarin...
2018
DelmasColumbia Valley
Doubleback, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Winemaker Josh McDaniels has crafted a masterpiece that manifests a beautiful aromatic range from sagebrush, violets and dark chocolate covered espresso bean to exotic spices...
2018
DoublebackColumbia Valley
Figgins, Figlia, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A seductive blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot all sourced from the Figgins Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Aged in French oak for...
2018
FigginsColumbia Valley
Reynvaan, Stonessence, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
This benefitted from decanting, but once awoken its stony terroir melds with shades of salted prosciutto, cigar ash, nori seaweed, and green olive aromatics. The...
2018
ReynvaanColumbia Valley
L'Ecole No 41, Ferguson, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A compelling blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Merlot and smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot sourced from this high elevation site...
2018
L'Ecole No 41Columbia Valley
Leonetti Cellar, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
This 100% Merlot was sourced from the Seven Hills, Loess, Mill. Creek Upland and Leonetti Old Block Vineyards. The heady red and dark fruit aromatics...
2018
Leonetti CellarColumbia Valley
Reynvaan, The Classic, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Nice herbal undertones combine with espresso bean, Bing cherry and shades of pipe tobacco on this great aromatic display. The palate is plush and elegant,...
2018
ReynvaanColumbia Valley
Sleight of Hand Cellars, The Psychedelic Syrah, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
This thrilling Syrah is another impressive wine made by the superstar winemaking team of Trey Busch, Keith Johnson and Jerry Solomon. Sourced from the Stoney...
2018
Sleight of Hand CellarsColumbia Valley
àMaurice, Owl and Crown, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A gorgeous new bottling from the talented Anne Schaefer. Nicely textured the wine reveals rich cassis, loganberry preserves and anise tones alongside firm tannins and...
2018
àMauriceColumbia Valley
Pepper Bridge Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
I adore this showing by Jean-Francois Pellet. Dense and chewy, with a bright beam of acidity, sweet cassis and pipe tobacco flavours that intermingle with...
2018
Pepper Bridge WineryColumbia Valley
Pepper Bridge Winery, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Sourced from mainly the Seven Hills Vineyard (63%), as well as the Pepper Bridge (30%) and Octave (7%) vineyards, this shows off beautiful cocoa powder...
2018
Pepper Bridge WineryColumbia Valley
àMaurice, Night Owl, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A supple texture with dense dark currants, sandalwood and mocha flavours that impress on the palate. Velvety tannins and a lengthy finish provide extra enjoyment...
2018
àMauriceColumbia Valley
àMaurice, Fred, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Right away you notice the dusting of white pepper that falls upon tar, bacon fat and shades of violets on this evocative nose. With good...
2018
àMauriceColumbia Valley
WT Vintners, Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A gorgeous new bottling from the talented Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen. The palate is dense and fresh with wintergreen tones that mingle with wet gravel, blackberry compote...
2018
WT VintnersColumbia Valley
House of Smith, K Vintners, The Creator, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
Dense and intense once in the glass, this has good focus and texture with a rich core of blackberries and cassis flavours on the palate....
2018
House of SmithColumbia Valley
House of Smith, Substance Vineyard, Jack's Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, 2018
A Cabernet Sauvignon that reveals smoky and savoury tones aromatically, with dried sage and tobacco rounding out the nose. The palate is soft and refined...
2018
House of SmithColumbia Valley
