94
points
Dumas Station 2006 Minnick Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
-
$60
Rich, concentrated, and loaded with smoky, dark, spicy fruit flavors, this is a full-on Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. There’s plenty of barrel influence, from 70% new French oak, but it’s welcome, and appropriate, perfectly matched to the power of the fruit. An underlayer of woodsy earth and mushroom adds further complexity.
— P.G.
(12/1/2010)
91
points
Dumas Station 2007 Merlot (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
-
$26
This Right Bank-styled blend includes 19% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Despite its high (15.3%) alcohol, it’s a meaty, complex wine that drinks much lighter. The berry/cherry fruit flavors are woven into a tapestry of earth, herb and spice, smooth and detailed, and the wine has a mouth-pleasing seamless quality that invites another sip, and another.
— P.G.
(12/1/2010)
90
points
Dumas Station 2007 Cow Catcher Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
-
$19
The cow catcher is the front of the train engine guard, and speaks to the railroad theme of this winery. An outstanding “second” wine, this value blend drinks like a much pricier wine. It’s ready to go, with broad, softened, mixed red fruits, baking spices, toasty barrel notes and a smooth, gliding, lingering finish.
— P.G.
(12/1/2010)
88
points
Dumas Station 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
-
$32
With grapes from the estate vineyard, Minnick Hills, this promising effort opens with concentrated, dark berry fruit, backed with rich tannins. The fruit and muscle hold down the center, but the finish gets a bit chalky, and the tannins are not quite fully ripe. The best is yet to come from this estate.
— P.G.
(3/1/2009)