2022 Carmenere

2022 Carmenere

Year:                     2022

Varietals:               100% Carmenere

Appellation:            Walla Walla Valley

Vineyard:               Seven Hills Vineyard

Winemaker:            Dave Stephenson

Alcohol:                  14.5%

Date bottled:          September 2024

Price:                     $52.00

Production:            116 cases

On the very first sniff, no decanting, no “letting it breathe,” barely a swirl, and I’m already getting huge hits of cumin and freshly ground white pepper. The cumin rolls into cinnamon, apple pie filling, and a bit of star anise. The white pepper evolves into leather, fresh-tilled soil, and some a mix of spiciness that I can’t wait to delve deeper into as this wine continues to mature.

Once the wine does have a chance to open a bit, a lovely concentrated roasted red bell pepper permeates everything for a moment. It just smells red. Like if rubies had a scent - clear, cool, luminous… and red. I also get a lovely note of fresh parsley and cilantro, along with roasted walnuts, lilac, and something with a touch of brine – maybe a creamy fresh feta.

However, my favorite aroma coming from this Carmenere didn’t appear until day two of being open. All through elementary school my pencil box was a cedar Muriel Cigar box. Every time I lifted the lid of my very heavy school desk the smell of cedar and tobacco filled my nose. Why I gave that thing to Granny’s Attic when I was in high school is only a question “too cool” 16-year-old Muriel can answer.

That roasted red pepper comes off more as Basque piment d’Espelette in the mouth. That spice, along with a touch of turmeric, more tart cherry, and great acid make me want shawarma spiced roasted carrots dipped it a garlicy tzatziki, or (and?) charred flank steak smothered in chimichurri.