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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2017 and 2022 (based on 8 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 59 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by kistdg on 8/19/2023 & rated 92 points: Enjoyed w grilled ribeye & shrooms. Very nice Merlot based WA St Bordeaux blend. 45 min ox (410 views) | | | Tasted by Botte515 on 12/9/2022 & rated 90 points: So deep & dark light doesn't pass thru. Super soft texture. Complex combo of hardwood fruits, wildflowers & herbs. Past its best bouquet. Drink now! (498 views) | | | Tasted by tannictongue on 8/13/2022: Very nice Washington blend. A little over-the-hill but still very nice. Tannins are mellowed. 1 left which will be consumed soon. (644 views) | | | Tasted by VinedyRoad on 7/19/2022 & rated 91 points: Wonderfully aged, smooth, soft tannins. Stewed fruits along with many secondary and tertiary notes. Cab Franc very noticeable. (656 views) | | | Tasted by caroleandjay on 2/2/2022 & rated 91 points: Alas - the last Uriah in my cellar. Fruit less bold and the wine overall is less complex than the others - this bottle is definitely fading a bit. Palate still has the spices but the fruit, while not stewed, definitely seems like it is going on the palate (but still present on the nose). (866 views) | | | Tasted by lelandinmichigan on 1/19/2022 & rated 93 points: Cherry red and burgundy colors, not purple. Bordeaux blend, Merlot/Cab Franc dominant. Powerful earthy aromas and ripe fruit. Not overdone, but very ripe. Has a funky element that adds character and doesn't detract at all. Great flavor without being heavy, the acids are mild, the tannins are resolved but have something of a presence to allow the wine some life and 'grip', however, it doesn't seem like it'll improve and is in a fairly yummy and decadent place at the moment. I got this one at Costco on a '97' closeout, but it was probably still high 20s. I bet it retails in the 50s, tastes very fancy and polished. Has what I call the 'neapolitan ice-cream sandwich' flavor, but has a level of sophistication that steps it up a notch. (744 views) | | | Tasted by PMTinfv on 6/29/2021 & rated 92 points: Decanted and let breath for 90 minutes but really opened up after two hours. Silky mouth feel with a core of dark chocolate flavor. Very delicate, but very enjoyable. It’s in a great drinking spot now…hard to believe it will continue to benefit from additional long term cellaring. (912 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 5/3/2021 & rated 90 points: The Merlot base exudes smoothness while the Cabernet Franc spiciness shines through. This was dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, Wine Spectator called it 'broad and expressive', black berry and black raspberry fruits accented by pepper, spice, black olive and notes of black olive, expresso and green herbs turning to fine grained tannins on a lingering finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2021/05/spring-valley-2013-blends-uriah-vs.html (892 views) | | | Tasted by slabslovin on 4/29/2021 & rated 84 points: faint odor of sweaty socks. jammy. tasted a little better than it smelled, probably some defect in the wine. (825 views) | | | Tasted by mpricher on 3/13/2021 & rated 92 points: This wine maker is truly underrated— this is a really solid bottle with tons of depth, the Cab Feanc and Merlot dance effortlessly across the palate. Pounding this juice is easy because it’s just that good- but a veteran will savor each drip! (664 views) | | | Tasted by Nfmds on 2/8/2021 & rated 92 points: Lighter red color for Bordeaux blend
Nose: pepper, warm spice. Cherry
Flavor: Chinese five spice, ginger
Mouthfeel: mild acidity, smooth, velvety, warm. Min tannins (711 views) | | | Tasted by deekmon on 10/17/2020 & rated 91 points: 45% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (566 views) | | | Tasted by E&S WineDown on 9/16/2020 & rated 94 points: Delicious. Beautiful herbal nose. Dark fruit and cassis on the palate. Smooth long finish. (536 views) | | | Tasted by ibglowin on 9/13/2020 & rated 92 points: Consistently one of the best right bank Bordeaux blends you can find from WA State. This did not disappoint in anyway. 5 Star QPR to boot.
Blend: 45% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (527 views) | | | Tasted by stevemar on 9/5/2020 & rated 90 points: Dark purple, floral and dark fruit nose. Jammy and nicely balanced with light pepper, spice and dark fruits. (470 views) | | | Tasted by Lockareff on 7/22/2020 & rated 92 points: Thoroughly enjoyed - would buy again. (538 views) | | | Tasted by gwarnken on 7/21/2020 & rated 90 points: A nice left Bank inspired red wine.. Highlights some of the best grapes grown in Washington. (424 views) | | | Tasted by Nbkat8 on 3/14/2020 & rated 93 points: QPR is off the charts here. Pepper tannins produce a great mouthfeel, spice and fruit, cedar. Long Finish. Killer! (774 views) | | | Tasted by gmbdds on 11/2/2019 & rated 91 points: There is some really nice pepper and a touch of smoke to add to the typical blueberry and currant profile. A good, ready to drink version of Uriah. (925 views) | | | Tasted by iankalinosky on 10/18/2019 & rated 90 points: The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blueberry and cherry. It tastes like strawberry, cherry, black olive and geranium. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. (854 views) | | | Tasted by BSBONO on 8/17/2019 & rated 91 points: Consistent (891 views) | | | Tasted by wiscgrad on 8/15/2019 & rated 89 points: solid bdx blend, but a bit thin. not great qpr at full freight (881 views) | | | Tasted by BSBONO on 7/6/2019 & rated 88 points: A bit tart (838 views) | | | Tasted by feinwine on 12/28/2018 & rated 92 points: Cherries and strawberries on the nose. Medium body, red and dark fruit on the palette with notes of spice, vanilla, and lightly toasted oak, enveloped by smooth tannins and moderate acidity. Nicely balanced structure with a smooth, medium-length finish. (1048 views) | | | Tasted by the_lovenest on 9/22/2018 flawed bottle: Hideously corked (1287 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Focus on Washington: Hot Times in the Desert (Nov 2016) (11/1/2016)
(Spring Valley Vineyard Red Wine Uriah Washington) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Spring Valley Vineyard Producer website
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2018/10/spring-valley-vineyards-tasting-and.html
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2018/10/walla-walla-ava-wine-experience.html
Country: US
Region: Washington
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Blend: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Varietal: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 14% Cabernet Franc 8% Malbec
Vineyard: 100% Spring Valley Vineyard Estate Bottled
Winemaker: Serge Laville
Aging/Cooperage: 19 months in 100% French oak, 47% new
Alcohol: 14.5%
PH: 3.97
TA: 0.51g/LRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Walla Walla ValleyThe name translates as easily as it rolls off the tongue: Walla Walla. Many Waters. To the earliest Native tribes, the many waters came from the nearby Blue Mountains and gathered to form the Walla Walla River on its way to join the Columbia to the west. The waters flowed first; however, into a fair-sized Valley carved in the mountain's foothills, and bordered in part by the terrain of what is known as the Columbia Plateau. Tribal members knew the Valley's generally milder climate could maintain their people in winter villages. There were lush wild grasses which could sustain horses and attract game from the winter snows of the nearby Blues, or from the giant high plateau that becomes desolate and dangerous during the cold season. The rolling terrain and numerous watersheds offered protection from nature and other hazards of the day. Here the water was plentiful and full of fish and seldom froze, even in the coldest years. The meadows were wonderful places to gather with other people to trade, compete and celebrate treaties. Compared to the region around them, the Walla Walla Valley was a safe refuge from the treacherous conditions which can often be found during the winter for hundreds of miles around. In this unique growing region, most of the earliest records of grapes and winemaking reference the Italians who had immigrated here in the mid to late 1800's and who brought with them their tradition of growing, making and drinking wine. Vines with these origins still exist in the Valley today. The first post-prohibition winery was Blue Mountain Vineyards. It was bonded in 1950 by the Pesciallo family where they produced Black Prince and other Italian varietal wines for a period of several years before succumbing to economics and climate. To the wine world of today, Walla Walla has become know for the quality and style of its red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Syrah gaining notoriety in recent years. In the1970's, the pioneers of today's wine community began to think similar thoughts: that the Walla Walla Valley, with its long history of fruit growing, moderate climate, wine-making heritage, and interesting terrain might just be a place to grow vines and make wine on a commercial scale. These pioneers of the region applied for and received approval of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1984. It was the third in Washington State and also includes a portion of land in Oregon. In the time leading to the recognition of the appellation, four wineries had been bonded starting with Leonetti Cellar, and shortly thereafter, Woodward Canyon. L'Ecole Nº 41 and Waterbrook soon followed. In addition to the smaller vineyards that were being planted, the Valley's first large-scale, commercial vineyard Seven Hills was established. By the time the BATF recognized the Walla Walla Valley AVA, the Valley was beginning to gain attention from within the wine industry, as well as attracting publicity from journalists and media outside the region. The foundation for today’s industry had been laid and the benchmark for quality had been set. In addition, fruit from the area was now being harvested and a baseline for understanding the local growing conditions was being constructed. Every few years another winery would join the fold and take up the challenge of producing the highest quality wine and the growing of outstanding fruit. Seven Hills Winery and Patrick M. Paul each got their start during this time. More vines were added, although acreage increases were small each year. The industry was small and everyone knew everyone else involved, while the welcome mat remained out for any newcomers. Growers and winemakers alike regularly shared time in the cellar or at the table and together learned more about wines and vines. By 1990 there were just six wineries and the Valley's grape acreage stood at perhaps 100 acres. The total collective production of wine was microscopic by any measure, but it was the quality that was being noticed by many inside and outside the trade. As the tiny trickle of wine produced in the Walla Walla AVA began to flow to the outside world, a "wine renaissance" was beginning to happen globally. The Pacific Northwest had staked a claim in this new wine world and as people learned about the region, they also began to hear about Walla Walla. This interest spread rapidly to those with Walla Walla connections. The early 1990s saw the planting of more vines and the establishment of another large-scale vineyard, Pepper Bridge. At the same time, a group of local investors, working closely with the Napa based Chalone Wine group, laid the foundation for Canoe Ridge Vineyard, the Valley's first winery supported in part by a major outside investor. As the industry has grown, many new wineries have gotten their start in the arms of an established winery. Waterbrook Winery's modern production facility started the trend, sharing space, equipment, and any help needed. Other wineries also adopted “extra guests,” a practice that has helped form close, personal relationships throughout the local industry. By the turn of the new century, the Walla Walla Valley wine industry had 22 wineries and 800 acres of grapes. In the year 2000 the AVA had been expanded back to the original boundaries proposed in the1984 application. The year 2000 also saw the formation of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance with 100% of the Valley's wineries and 98% of the Valley's planted acreage represented. Today, more than 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries and more than 1,200 acres of Walla Walla Valley grapes contribute to the ever growing, international acclaim garnered by the wines of this newly-emerging region of Washington State. |
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