97 Points and More: New Huge Reviews for Walla Walla's The Walls
We're in an especially good mood because of some huge new reviews for Walla Walla's The Walls. Say that 3 times and it still won't be as much of a mouthful as the bold and beautiful reds from The Walls. What's their secret? The Walls hired Todd and Carrie Alexander, the same duo responsible for the incredible Force Majeure wines. Curiositas Cab is mind-blowing. Stanley Groovy is a unique wine and a fabulous value. Gaspard Syrah does everything right. 97, 95, 96 points respectively, all three are also highly recommended by us. There isn't a ton left so you know the drill–time to buy!
$59.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($66.95 regular)
97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "All from Red Mountain, the dense purple-hued 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Curiositas offers up a pure, powerful bouquet of cassis and blue fruits as well as plenty of classic Red Mountain savory herb and earthy mineral nuances. This carries to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with a layered, elegant texture, ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. This is another stunning wine from this estate that marries power with elegance. It has some up-front charm today given its balance and purity, yet there's more than enough structure to warrant 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should keep for two decades or more."
Us: Todd is a Cabernet whisperer, having cut his teeth at Napa's Bryant Family and now applying his mastery to Washington Cabernet. What's so impressive about his wines–especially his Cabs–is the refinement. It's easy to get big Washington fruit but taming it, making it into a velvety masterpiece, that's where Todd thrives. The 2018 Curiositas is a step up from the fabulous 2017, in our esteem. It's outrageously attractive.
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$29.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($32.95 regular)
95 points Jed Dunnuck: "A blend you don't often see from Washington State...A dense purple hue is followed by a ripe, full-bodied, concentrated wine offering loads of blue fruits, cedary green herbs, sandalwood, and orange blossom-like aromas and flavors. As with all of the wines from this estate, the texture is incredible, it's perfectly balanced, and it has ripe, polished tannins as well as a great, great finish. It's going to keep for 15 years as well."
Us: We could give you 100 guesses about which grape varieties make up Stanley Groovy and we’re sure you wouldn’t guess it. We wouldn't either! This unique blend of Portuguese and international grapes–27% Touriga Nacional, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 10% Tinta Cao, 10% Souzao, 5% Counoise–is a one-of-a-kind from Washington...and likely anywhere else, too. But unique isn’t enough. It has to be yummy and after one sip we determined, yum. Bold and packed with flavor while also sprightly and fun, there are blue, red, and black fruits wrapped around licorice, espresso, and a sweet-smoky-mineral note. Just screaming for a grilled hanger steak. A Northwest New Discoveries Wine Club selection, before the score!
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$49.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($54.95 regular)
96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "An Hermitage-like nose of red and black fruits, spice, new leather, and bacon fat emerges from the 2018 Syrah Gaspard, another young, unevolved, yet incredibly promising Syrah that does everything right. With full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and incredible purity of fruit, it has plenty of rocky minerality and tannins on the finish. It needs lots of air if drinking any time soon, and it will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age. It's going to keep for 10-15 years or more."