This summer on our winding way through the Yakima Valley, we had unfortunately bad timing around Red Mountain and were only able to make it to Terra Blanca, an impressive and inspiring winery looking down on the valley.

All the wines we tasted are from the Terra Blanca Estate Vineyard. We tweeted our tasting notes earlier this week, and here are those notes:

2007 Signature Series Block 8 Syrah – a powerhouse dominated by cherries and cranberries, toasty oak bringing up the rear. A fine example of Red Mountain’s character. What a year for Syrah in this growing region! Impressively, this wine was double Godl Medal winner at the Seattle Wine Awards and I can see why!

2008 ONYX – Dark fruits and cherry. Satiny smooth. Solid tannins and good acidity. A hint of the oak monster mucking about. Good quality-price ratio. The ONYX, a Seattle Wine Awards Gold Medal winner, is winemaker Keith Pilgrim’s signature Bordeaux blend, which the winery says is a snapshot of the vineyard.

2008 Signature Series Mourvedre (91% Mourvedre / 9% Syrah) – Fruit that is almost balsamic. Impressive tannins not for the timid, Great balance. This is my kind of wine!

2008 Block 5 Chardonnay – crisp red apples and lovely spiciness supported by the  toastiness of oak. Great price point. Highly recommended!

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To get to know Washington wines, these are good reads!