2020 Carmenere

Varietals:                100% Carmenere
Appellation:             Walla Walla Valley
Vineyard:                Seven Hills Vineyard
Winemaker:            Dave Stephenson
Alcohol:                  14.6%
Date bottled:           June 2022
Price:                      $49.00
Production:             139 cases

Leather with a pinch of tobacco are front and center as soon as the cork is popped. The dark aromas continue with black and green peppercorns, a waft of diesel that disappears as soon as you identify it, and the bark of a pine forest right after it’s rained. Rich red fruit appear after the wine has been open for a few minutes, but even those notes are dark – hot sweet cherry peppers, raspberry, and then a little burst of kumquat to lighten the mood. After a few more minutes, out pops strawberry rhubarb pie filling, which I did not expect.

In a role reversal, tobacco with a pinch of leather is what hits you on first sip. The sweet, yet earthy, fresh tobacco leads to dried apricot, blueberry, and something that reminds me of bananas foster – a little sugar, a little rum, and a lot of fire.

Five spice is really a winner with this complex Carmenere. Cast iron sear some Brussels sprouts, or huge tenderloins you got BOGO last night at QFC to ignite those sweet, herbaceous, intoxicating flavors and have at it.