Our Tasting Notes

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Walla Walla Valley
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
Golden Ridge, Birch Creek, Minnick, Les Collines, and Seven Hills Vineyards

Release Date –May 6th, 2011
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Ageed for 28 month in French oak barrels of which 70% were new barrels.
Cases Produced – 109

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.5%

Winemaker Notes:

“Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon could be my favorite wine I have made to date. An incredible nose of cedar, espresso and black licorice. More aromas of raspberry, and hickory ballpark tobacco surface. An opulent mouth feel with silky tannins, and a vertical integration of aroma and taste shine through. Awesome truffle, dark chocolate and a hedonistic finish with some chewy tannins lasting for minutes. Cabernet is always a favorite wine of mine to make and to watch age. Definitely an all- American wine and one going in my cellar for a long time both for immediate drinking pleasure and long term aging.”

2008 Merlot

Walla Walla Valley
94% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
Pepper Bridge, Birch Creek, Golden Ridge, Les Collines, and Seven Hills Vineyards

Release Date – May 6th, 2011
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 28 months in French and American oak barrels of which 40% were new barrels
Cases Produced – 67

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.3%

Winemaker Notes:

“Merlot is without a doubt in my mind, one of the most under rated wines in America. One of my favorite growing regions to drink is that of Bordeaux, and Merlot happens to be the most commonly planted varietal there. Our Sweet Valley Merlot has finally hit the mark with me in 2008. Pretty cherry, dried fruits, red licorice and toasty vanilla are all present in the glass. Upon tasting, a bigger bodied Merlot is present, with smooth tannins, butterscotch and an interesting red apple flavor that works really well with the natural acidity. If anyone orders any Merlot, we are drinking f*c*ing Merlot!”

Righteous Wines - 2009 Malbec

Walla Walla Valley
92% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
Les Collines and Golden Ridge Vineyard

Release Date – May 6th, 2011
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels of which 50% were new barrels
Cases Produced – 58

Wine Composition:
Alcohol: 14.3%

Winemaker Notes:
“In 2007 we made our first Malbec and we absolutely fell in love with it. We didn’t get any Malbec in 2008, but we were lucky enough to score some in 2009, and in 2010 Josh got the chance to go to Argentina to make high end Malbec with famous winemaker, Paul Hobbs (Vina Cobos). It is now 2011 and we are ecstatic to release this wine to you, even if it is only half of our production of 2007 vintage. A floral nose with cigar smoke, dark chocolate and ripe blackberries. The tannin structure and mouth feel of this wine rocks. Filling your mouth with strawberry jam, anise, tobacco, cinnamon and an awesome purity of fresh fruit revealing the hot growing season of 2009. Truly a RIGHTEOUS Wine to be remembered and treasured.”

Righteous Wines - 2008 Red Wine

Columiba Valley (86% Walla Walla Valley)
79% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Syrah
Forgotten Hills, Minnick, and Coyote Canyon Vineyards

Release Date – November 1st, 2011
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – 22 months in neutral French and American Oak Barrels
Cases Produced – 725

Wine Composition:
Alcohol: 13.6%

Winemaker Notes:
A generational medicine, without the sin, Righteous Red Wine is insane!  Like a rainbow of fruits, no pun intended, this wine goes from strawberry, cherry, and blackberry with an intense black licorice and cinnamon scent to turn your nose into Paula Dean’s kitchen in December.  The wine, not Paula, has a light body, with great acidity that creates a couples retreat when it comes to pairing with food.

Righteous Wines - 2009 Viognier

Horse Heaven Hills in Columbia Valley
100% Viognier
McKinley Springs Vineyard

Release Date – April 30th, 2010
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged on the lees in 100% stainless steel barrels for 8 months
Cases Produced – 250

Wine Composition:
Alcohol: 13.5%

Winemaker Notes:
Picture a sexy waitress in a cocktail dress flaunting around the room with a plate of pineapple, oranges and other citrus fruits. As she passes, a hint of the latest Chanel perfume with scents of rose, lavender, and tulip lingers while you stare at the voluptuous legs seemingly dancing around your… glass! Snap back to reality and the mouth of the wine is crisp yet dense with a touch of butter and has exquisite balance between the acid and alcohol. Now, fantasize again and ask the waitress out, buy a bottle, and enjoy the Righteous Viognier over a romantic picnic on a hot summer day.

2007 Double Barrel Red

Walla Walla Valley
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, 4% Syrah
Pepper Bridge, Les Collines, Forgotten Hills, Golden Ridge, 7 Hills and Birch Creek Vineyards

Release Date – May 1st, 2009
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 18 months in "second fill" tight grain and neutral barrels for minimal hints of oak while still bringing structure and complexity to the wine
Cases Produced – 537

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 15.4%

Winemaker Notes:

Our first year of winemaking started out with two barrels of wine, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, hence the name “Double Barrel”.  Those fond, memorable years of building up to our first release has made this wine very close to our hearts and something that we are going to make tradition in our cellar.  With this wine, we always strive to craft an approachable yet serious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah that our families and many others can use as a starting point to making “Sweet Memories”, just like we did in our first few years.  From our families to yours, please enjoy, and have loads of fun with, our 2007 Double Barrel Red.

Blueberries, oranges, pine needles, dust, vanilla, coffee, almond, caramel and rubber are all part of the intricacies of the smell of this brand new wine.  As it opens up and we watch the dark color swirl around our glasses, we are shown earthy components with hints of smoke and fresh raspberries.  Black currant and chocolate jump out and finish with a spicy, black pepper.  This wine has a lot to offer and at an affordable price.