Yakima Valley Wines 2009
My wife and I recently took a pre-Spring Barrel Tasting tour of some of our favorite Yakima Valley Wineries to sample their latest vintages. We tasted dozens of reds and whites, varietals and blends and found few if any that fell below the standards set by previous vintages. Most of the wineries were making last minute preparations for the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail Spring Barrel tasting on April 17, 18 and 19, and the Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting on April 24, 25 & 26 but each was gracious, allowing us time to sample and ask a volley of questions. We’ve always been made to feel at home in Yakima Valley so it’s no wonder that we try to visit at least twice a year.The reds varied from lively, youthful and exciting to luscious, mature and elegant, each a testament to the skill and artistry of the winemaker. I’ll be detailing some examples in upcoming reports. The whites, most from the ’07 harvest, were terrific. The balance of fruit and acid was masterful and a true joy to experience. I’ll be detailing examples of these in future reports too. In my opinion, Washington wines are at minimum on par with those of California and several are heads above their California counterparts. If you haven’t been to Yakima Valley or if it’s been a while since your last visit, make apoint of going this year. You won’t be disappointed.