I am dubbing this vintage “the year of the Bee”. Earlier this year scientists were concerned with the worldwide decline of bees. I believe they chalked it up to a fungal problem. I myself have come to the conclusion that they merely migrated to Walla Walla. I have never seen so many bees in my life. They swarmed over anything they could find with a drop of sugar on it including me. In the first week I was stung three times! I have since come to the conclusion that I am not allergic to bees.

Besides the occasional sting, this harvest was great. I know I know, you have all heard this before. Nearly every year the winemaker says that this is the greatest vintage ever. Well, let me at least tell you why this year is great, maybe not the greatest; only time can be the judge of that. For starters, this year was very fruitful. Many conditions were met to put many of clusters on our vines. Rain, sunshine and heat all play a big part in shaping each harvest; even the previous growing season plays a part. The timing of these things is even more critical. If it rains or is cloudy at the wrong time it could spell disaster. This year in particular everything kept going right. We had enough rain, then sunshine at the right time. Warm temps that followed allowed the vines to hang many clusters and this is very important because if the conditions are met we have small berries!!! Smaller berries mean that there is a greater amount of skins in ratio to juice. In reds, the skins are what give our wine its gusto! Much of the tannins, aromatics and color are derived from skins. That is just one component of what has made this harvest so great. For reasons unbeknown to me the vineyards ripened to perfection while maintaining low pH and high acid levels. What does low pH and high acid levels mean? To me, they mean I can make a balanced wine. If the numbers are right on that translates to minimal input from the winemaker. The big bonus for you guys is that the low pH and higher tannins, add up to age worthy wines.

Now let’s talk about some specific wines! It is difficult at this time to go too in depth on the 07 vintage since the jury is still out, but the wines are more concentrated than in the past while retaining the soft and smooth finish we strive for. The Syrah is very rich, with mocha and coffee notes and the ever present hints of olives and brine I have come to love from the Les Collines fruit. The Merlot is a cherry bomb now that it is starting to settle down post fermentation. Now the Cabernet Sauvignon let me say wow! So rich and smooth like velvet on your tongue. I can’t wait to see how this wine develops in the Barrel. I used to swear I would never make a wine with 100% new oak; this was some strange ideological principal that I have since then discarded. Our 2007 Cab much like the 06 will spend the first few years of its life in 100% new French oak barrels.

On a different note, don’t forget that the Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend is right around the corner. I will be sampling from barrels of 2006 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon and 2006 Phinny Hill Vineyard Carmenere. We have also just released our 2005 Merlot and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. So come and join us for some festive music and fare the first weekend of December. We look forward to seeing you soon!

                 A 2007 Crush Collage photos courtesy of Photographer Kent Henderson

Cheers!

Ryan Raber

Winemaker

Tertulia Cellars