Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Tempranillo (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

This seems to be the first varietally designated Tempranillo from Gifford Hirlinger, and it shows exciting promise. Very little Tempranillo is planted in Washington, and most versions draw on the same vineyard sources; this is estate grown and therefore unique. Smoky and textural, it has a lovely depth of dark…  — P.G.   Published 7/1/2011

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Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Stateline Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

This deceptively named and priced wine is a gem. It’s all estate-grown, and the blend is a fascinating combination of Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec, with a dollop of Tinta Cao, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. Dark and demonstrative, it has a seductive nose of black fruits, toast and coffee. Currants and black cherries…  — P.G.   Published 7/1/2011

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Gifford Hirlinger 2009 Stateline Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Gifford Hirlinger’s Stateline Red is perhaps the least-known best-value wine in the Walla Walla AVA. The blend changes radically from year to year—this is 83% Cabernet with splashes of Malbec, Tinta Cão, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. Focused and concentrated, it has a streak of orange and cherry liqueur, and yummy…  — P.G.   Published 7/1/2012

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Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Petite Verdot (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Clean and well-ripened fruit holds down center court here; tart and tight flavors of currant and berry. It’s wrapped in a shell of tannin that is still hard and seeming to hold the wine back. The best guess is to give it some bottle age and let it breathe, and you will be rewarded with a polished and expressive wine.  — P.G.   Published 7/1/2011

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Gifford Hirlinger 2006 Estate Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

This is pure Merlot, well made, with classic balance and structure. It’s not a flashy wine, but the undertones of dried leaf support and enhance the crisp currant, strawberry and cherry fruit.  — P.G.   Published 5/1/2010

Gifford Hirlinger 2007 Estate Petite Verdot (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

All estate-grown fruit, blended with 11% Merlot, which seems to soften up the tannins a bit. This is aromatic and complex, weaving together scents of cassis, licorice, tobacco and smoke. Flavors follow, with plenty of black cherry fruit in the concentrated core.  — P.G.   Published 5/1/2010

Gifford Hirlinger 2009 Estate Petit Verdot (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Toasty and firm, this pure Petit Verdot is rich with black cherry and cassis. Whiffs of smoke and a slight burn in the finish suggest that further bottle age will bring in more barrel nuances (from 40% new American oak) and smooth out the finish.  — P.G.   Published 7/1/2012

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Gifford Hirlinger 2004 -18° Below Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

Named for the big freeze, this 70-30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was sourced from Canoe Ridge Vineyard. It shows a good mix of purple and blue fruits, spicy notes of licorice and vanilla bean, and it makes a lively palate impression. The balance is just right, and the half-and-half mix of neutral and new…  — P.G.   Published 3/1/2007