2017 River Rock Vineyard Grenache - The Walls Vineyards

Red licorice, blooming peonies, maraschino cherry. Cool raspberry liqueur, wild sagebrush, blueberry glaze. A succulent burst of grenadine, sweet red plum, and strawberry pie collides with candied rose petal, white pepper, and kindling in a fruit-focused and remarkably fragrant display. Intricate notes of green tea mochi, gummy bear, and luscious tropical flowers advance the parade of high-toned aromatics while underlying impressions of braised meat and wrought iron impart a tender kiss of feral complexity. Subtle hints of hot rocks and smooth river stones reveal an interesting glimpse of terroir that waxes and wanes throughout each layer of the plump and juicy attack. Soft and round yet quite fresh and balanced on the palate; featuring moderate tannin and acidity filling out its finesse-driven yet full bodied frame. This 2017 River Rock Vineyard Grenache by The Walls Vineyards is a pure, pretty, and delicately powerful red from The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.

Located on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley just south of the Washington border, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is a unique winegrowing appellation that's soil is riddled with basalt-derived cobblestones amassed over time by the flow of the Walla Walla River. This bottling, crafted by The Walls Vineyards using 85% Grenache/12% Syrah/3% Pinot Noir sourced from the River Rock Vineyard within The Rocks District, brilliantly showcases the distinct terroir of this tiny yet formidable region. The plethora of stones that litter this vineyard absorb heat during the day and radiate it out during the cool of night, which warms the vines and fruit thus increasing their ability to achieve complete phenolic ripeness. While it certainly is ripe and fruity this wine is neither dense nor heavy, and it remains thoroughly balanced, bright, and delicious.