Spring Valley Frederick Red Wine Walla Walla Valley 2017 (750ml)

 

Rated 94 Points by 94 Jeb Dunnuck

 

I loved the 2017 Frederick, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot that’s all from the estate Spring Valley Vineyard.  Lots of red and black fruits, leafy herbs, flowers, and foresty, earthy notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced 2017 with lots of varietal character, polished tannins, and a great finish.  It’s going to keep for 10-15 years.

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Rich and polished, with an elegantly complex core that drives the black cherry and dusky spice flavors toward a long finish, with medium-grained tannins.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  Drink now through 2027.

 

Rated 92 Points by James Suckling

 

Black plums, boysenberries, licorice, herbs and chocolate orange on the nose.  It’s full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins.  Polished, flavorful and balanced.  Delicious now.

 

Rated 91 Points & Editor’s Choice by Wine Enthusiast

 

Graphite, blackberry, spice and herb aromas lead to ripe, luscious, juicy fruit flavors.  There's a lot of intensity and plenty of structure around it all.  It's a can't-miss crowd-pleaser, with a good life in front of it.  Editors' Choice

 

Rated 91 Points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, the 2017 Frederick opens with just-ripe dark red and black fruit tones with a firm undercurrent of green herbs, bell pepper and dusty leather.  Medium to full-bodied, the palate is juicy with dusty and floral flavors of dried tobacco, turned earth and roasted coffee bean and firm tannins that grip the gumline.  Ending with a complex finish, lasting impressions of dried herbs and blackberry skin linger in the mouth with persistence.  The wine rested for 19 months in all French oak, 40% new.

 

Spring Valley Frederick Red Wine

 

Walla Walla Valley 2017

 

The names given to Spring Valley Vineyard wines are a tribute to the family members who have succeeded in farming the same land where the vineyard and winery now flourish.  This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is named for Frederick Corkrum, son to Uriah and father to Shari.

 

Tasting Notes

 

This Bordeaux style blend is packed with raspberry and strawberry flavors as well as some floral notes.  The mid pallet is complex and the tannins are fine grained and velvety.

 

Composition:  93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah and 2 % Malbec

 

Aging:  19 Months in 100% French oak, 40% new

 

Alcohol:  14.5%

 

Winemaking Notes

 

Spring Valley Vineyard fruit is hand-picked, hand-sorted and gently de-stemmed by gravity.

 

In keeping with Spring Valley tradition, hand punch-downs occur twice a day until the end of alcoholic fermentation.

 

The wine is transferred by pump into barrels for secondary fermentation and gets racked several times for clarity.

 

Vineyard Notes

 

Spring Valley Vineyard lies 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla, amid the picturesque wheat fields of southeastern Washington.

 

The vines follow the north-south slope of the hills in vertical rows that allow the vines to take advantage of air drainage and sunshine.

 

Every grape is tended by hand, including crop thinning, leaf pulling, and harvesting

 

Vintage Notes

 

The 2017 vintage at Spring Valley Vineyard was nicely spread over a 6 week period.  The winter was very cold, snowy and long.  Yields were low, spring was wet and summer was hot but harvest (September 7 to October 23) was cooler than usual.  The sun light was not as bright as usual and slightly filtered.  Overall, 2017 saw very favorable growing conditions, producing wines with ripeness and elegance.

 

 

Spring Valley Vineyard

 

The land that the Corkrum, Derby, and Elvin families farm today is rich with history dating back to the mid 1800’s, when current vineyard owner Shari Corkrum Derby’s grandfather Uriah Corkrum began farming in the area.

 

Uriah experienced success farming in the 1880’s but unfortunately lost everything in the first great depression of 1893.  He persevered though and acquired the land now known as Spring Valley in 1910.

 

In 1993, Shari and Dean Derby planted the first grapes at Spring Valley.  The first vintage of Estate grown and bottled Spring Valley Vineyard wines were produced with the 1999 vintage.  The Derbys’ son Devin Corkrum Derby served as winemaker until his untimely death in 2004. Devin’s assistant and friend Serge Laville took over as winemaker and continues the legacy of Spring Valley Vineyard.

 

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Rich and polished, with an elegantly complex core that drives the black cherry and dusky spice flavors toward a long finish, with medium-grained tannins.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  Drink now through 2027.

 

 

 

Rated 91 Points & Editor’s Choice by Wine Enthusiast

 

Graphite, blackberry, spice and herb aromas lead to ripe, luscious, juicy fruit flavors.  There's a lot of intensity and plenty of structure around it all.  It's a can't-miss crowd-pleaser, with a good life in front of it.  Editors' Choice