Buying Guide > All Wineries > G >

Gifford Hirlinger Wines

Sort By:

Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Stateline Red (Walla Walla Valley)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $16

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 are wreathed in smoke, and the suppleness grows… — P.G. (7/1/2011)

Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Tempranillo (Walla Walla Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $28

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 fruits and toasty barrel accents. The tannins are… — P.G. (7/1/2011)

Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Petite Verdot (Walla Walla Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $28

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. (7/1/2011)

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

Price $22

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. (5/1/2010)

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

Price $26

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. (5/1/2010)

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

Price $25

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 oak adds pleasing toast and vanilla to the finish. — P.G. (3/1/2007)

Gifford Hirlinger 2007 Stateline Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Price $16

This is a 50-50 blend of estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in neutral oak. Dark, plush, well-ripened fruit is the focus of a wine still a bit stiff and steely. It’s classic in the way a Bordeaux is classic, firm and confidently blended. — P.G. (5/1/2010)

Gifford Hirlinger 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (WA))

Price $28

This is 100% varietal—angular and stiff, offering nicely woven scents of herb, toast, and black cherry. The flavors continue with hints of coffee, cinnamon, vanilla and tobacco. — P.G. (5/1/2010)

Prominent Designations

-18° Below Estate Stateline Red

Most Reviewed Varietals [All]

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Red Blend Tempranillo

Most Reviewed Regions

Columbia Valley (WA) Walla Walla Valley Walla Walla Valley (WA)

2009 Merry Edwards

Made from eight vineyards located throughout this sprawling appellation…

(Sponsored)