K VINTNERS & SIXTO & SUBSTANCE TASTING - Walla Walla Tasting Room (6/18/2019)
This is one of the best tasting experiences in Walla Walla. To be able to taste almost the whole lineup is quite a treat. Most tasting rooms are pouring only six or seven wines. Of course the spit bucket got a healthy workout as this one.
The Whites
Loved all of them. They are complex and have some body which is not the case of too many Washington State whites. Not a fan of the stainless steel fermented Chardonnays. The top wine was the 2016 Roza Hills.
-
2017 K Vintners Viognier Art Den Hoed Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Another solid vintage of this wine. Fermented in Neutral French Oak and features floral, apricots, pear and minerals. Medium finish. Very nice wine. (91 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Jet City Riesling Reserve - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
Minerals, apple, spice, floral and pear. Short to medium finish. Good acidity. Very nice wine for under $20. (90 pts.) -
2016 SIXTO Chardonnay Uncovered - USA, Washington
Sixto continues to produce some of my favorite Chardonnays from Washington. More complexity and depth to them. Too many are making very neutral, boring Chardonnays. Minerals, apple, spice and pear. Mild oak on the finish. Drink now to 2023. (91 pts.) -
2016 SIXTO Chardonnay Frenchman Hills - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Spice, orange peel, oak, apple and Carmel. Complex wine and you could actually decant this wine. Amazingly when I was in the tasting room in Walla Walla I got an email from a local St. Paul Wine Shop that was offering this wine on their Monday Madness deal for $30 a bottle. Easy six pack purchase. (92 pts.) -
2015 SIXTO Chardonnay Frenchman Hills - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Stone fruits, minerals, lemon, sour apple and neutral oak influence. Complex, fruit driven wine. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Consume these over the next six years. (92 pts.) -
2015 SIXTO Chardonnay Roza Hills - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Mild oak, pear, Carmel and spices. Complex wine and nice finish. This should drink well for another five plus years. (92 pts.) -
2016 SIXTO Chardonnay Roza Hills - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Tropical fruit, mild oak, vanilla, spice and minerals. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Another winner from Sixto and a little more intense than the other Chardonnays in the lineup. (93 pts.) -
2016 SIXTO Chardonnay Moxee - USA, Washington
My least favorite in the Sixto lineup but that is not saying much as I gave this wine 91 points. Lemon, pear, sour apple and floral notes. Short to medium finish. (91 pts.)
K Reds
Wow! The Syrah wines are the star for sure. Rock Garden continues to be a great value Syrah and rivals many around the world. The Rose was also impressive.
-
2018 K Vintners Syrah Rosé Walla Walla Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Strawberry, raspberries, floral an stone. I still believe the best Rose wines are made from Rhone varietals. I love Syrah & the blended wines. This wine is an excellent example of complexity in a Rose. (90 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners The Boy - USA, Washington
Another great Grenache wine from Washington State. Fragrant wine with Garrique, stone, raspberries, earth and dust. While not a Southern Rhone wine it certainly has some similar characteristics. Drink now to 2025. (92 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Syrah Motor City Kitty - USA, Washington
Smoke, roasted meats, black pepper and dark fruits. Medium plus finish. This is drinking well now but recommend a good decant or drink after 2022. (91 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Syrah Rock Garden - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Wow! Classic rocks vineyard quality. Funk, spice, raspberries, blueberries, smoke and white pepper. K is making some of the best Syrah wines in the world for the money. This is no exception. (94 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Syrah Phil Lane - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Lots of potential here. Plum, black olives, smoke, chocolate and pepper. A bit tight and needs time but the wine should evolve. Drink 2022 to 2030. (93 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners The Creator - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
80% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Syrah. Another hit with blueberries, Bing cherries, oak, vanilla, floral and pencil lead. Medium to long finish. Complex wine and aging will reward these bottles. 92-94. (92 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Malbec Broncho - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
$70 for a domestic Malbec? I like it but half the price would work for me. Cherry, plum, spice and earth. Medium plus finish. Very drinkable right now. (90 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners El Jefe Stoneridge Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tempranillo seems to be a logical grape to plant more of in Washington as all of the wines I have sampled have been excellent. Very smooth wine with cherry, raspberries, earth, floral and stone. Certainly would not mistake this for Rioja or Riberia but enjoyable. (92 pts.) -
2016 K Vintners Guido - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Solid offering. Pretty wine with floral, earth, red currants and subtle spice. Very smooth, medium plus finish. Drink now to 2024. (90 pts.)
Substance
These wines benefited by being opened for six plus hours. I would not recommend drinking these young.
-
2014 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon Super Substance Stoneridge Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Cherry, spice, plum, menthol and earth. This wine was rocking on this occasion and it helped it had some air time. Decant this for a few hours if drinking currently however these will age for another six/seven years. (92 pts.) -
2015 Substance BX Klein Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Great potential here. Pencil lead, blueberries, smoke, oak, earth and rose petals. Medium to long finish and this wine needs a heavy decant or hold until 2023. (92 pts.)
Wow. Great tasting and amazing to try all of these wines in one tasting.
Posted from CellarTracker