From the original Kiona vineyard planting in 1975, this big, lush Chardonnay fills the palate with ripe banana and stone fruit flavors. It was barrel fermented, then moved to stainless, and put through partial malolactic. Good definition, acidity, and a hint of minerality.
— P.G.
(10/1/2010)
A well-made wine, with good fruit, a nice mix of flavors, and just the right application of toasty, expensive new oak. Balanced and sophisticated; Jean François Pellet from Pepper Bridge is the consulting winemaker.
— P.G.
(9/1/2003)
This is a good effort, built upon Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills fruit. It stands in the middle ranks of Walla Walla Merlots, quite similar to many other wines from the valley. New oak dominates the nose, with scents of smoke and char. The fruit is sweet cherry, with a hint of tobacco.
— P.G.
(6/1/2006)
Give this wine some airing out to let the SO2 blow off, and it will reward you with a pleasant mix of orange peel, sweet citrus and honeydew fruit. The residual sugar is 1.35%, but it feels a bit sugary in the mouth—definitely in the off-dry camp. Some of the fruit is from a 1973 Sagemoor block, among the oldest Riesling in Washington.
— P.G.
(10/1/2010)
Though there is noticeable residual sugar in this quite sweet wine, the flavors are rich and appealing. Candied pineapple and lemon drop fruit flavors dominate; this was barrel fermented but aged in tank so there is only the barest hint of toast and oak.
— P.G.
(3/1/2009)
This will now be a regular offering from Patit Creek. It has black cherry fruit, laced with iron filings and light streaks of tobacco and coffee. The high pH and low acidity adds some chalkiness to the finish, and suggests that this is best drunk up in the near term.
— P.G.
(9/1/2010)
Fruit from Seven Hills and Spofford Station provides the solid frame of black cherry, licorice, and tannin. This is a blocky wine, monolithic but full-bodied; best paired with hearty red meat dishes.
— P.G.
(10/1/2010)
Right now this is all about the oak, which over-rides everything else. Given that the vintage is 2001, neither brand new nor an off-year, it’s less likely that the balance will change much in the months ahead. Light cherry and strawberry flavors fight to be heard.
— P.G.
(4/1/2005)