This is a follow-up with tasting notes to accompany the article previously published on The Walls winery: Meeting Ali Mayfield at Walls Vineyards in Walla Walla, Washington.
The Walls Martin’s Gold Chardonnay 2015
Alcohol: 13.3 %
Suggested Retail: $36
Specs: “Originally brought to America by Paul Masson, Martin Ray planted French Chardonnay in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the 1940’s and revolutionized American winemaking. We make Martin’s Gold from the first plantings of this ‘Mt. Eden clone’ in Washington State. This wine offers a bolder and more New World profile than other chardonnay from The Walls, yet still made in a restrained and balanced Old World style that Ali’s wines are known for.”
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Transparent lemon robe.
Nose: Vanilla, waxy white florals, light toast notes.
Palate: Oak, citrus, pear, almond bouche; light body, balanced acids and tannins, slight reverb on the finish. Impeccable fruit, beautiful structure.
Suggested Pairings: A wine for lightly oaked Chardonnay aficionados. Especially compliments creamy cheeses or classically sauced main courses.
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The Walls McAndrew Chardonnay 2015 | Columbia Gorge
Alcohol: 13.3%
Suggested Retail: $36
Specs: ” ‘Doc’ McAndrew was a highly educated and respected surgeon in Seattle. He was also “a dreamer and a doer” who brought to life the first planting of Chardonnay in the Columbia Gorge region of southwest Washington in 1972. Doc’s pioneering foresight gave birth to vineyards that are the perfect pairing of site and varietal — few will deny his was among the best fruit in the country. This Chardonnay comes from cuttings from Doc’s original plants and is made in a crisp, fresh style using the nest concrete tanks we imported from Burgundy. We offer it both in his memory and with his ‘if you can dream it, do it’ spirit.”
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Citron, white rocks, white stone fruits notes.
Palate: Macôn-like golden apple, lemon zest, mineral bouche; light body, vivacious acids, filigree finish.
Suggested Pairings: A lyrical accompaniment to a myriad of seafood dishes, especially crab, sole, and shellfish. [divider_flat]
The Walls Stanley Groovy Red Blend 2014 | Red Mountain
Alcohol: 13.6 %
Suggested Retail: $38
Specs: “You may not have heard of Stanley Groovy, and that’s OK. We’ll tell you he’s a strange — but delightful — guy, much more complex than he lets on, despite his “regular guy” exterior. Inside, he’s groovy — just like the wine in this bottle. Trying to describe this wine is like trying to describe the inside of the fine artist’s mind; you may say you get it but really, no one gets it. And this is why what’s in this bottle will remain in generalities – simple on the outside, complex and groovy on the inside. We will say it is an intriguing blend of red Iberian varietals from Red Mountain, one of Washington’s most prominent AVAs, and is just as suitable for cellaring as it is for immediate enjoyment. Once you taste it, you’ll never confuse it with any other wine.”
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Opaque ruby robe.
Nose: Blackberry, green pepper, oregano, tobacco notes.
Palate: A well-constructed, integrated, age-worthy, medium+ body wine with plush tannins and a thoughtful, lengthy finish. [divider_flat]
LM Archer is a freelance writer based in Santa Cruz, California. She is Francophile who considers wine an art and Burgundy the centre of the universe. She is the founder and editor of binNotes | redThread.
