Current Wine Releases

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Walla Walla Valley
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Golden Ridge, JK McDaniels, and Les Collines Vineyards

Release Date –May 4th, 2012
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging –  Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels of which 65% were new barrels.
Cases Produced –145

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.8%

Winemaker Notes:

“Cab is King”- a common expression I grew up with and learned to love. A love found for the expression, created from hard work, dedication and respect for the land that we grow our wines. Occasionally Cab was the “old man drink” that demanded reverence and caught my attention as a child. A “special” wine. This Cabernet seems to bring me back there and reminds me of weekends being home in Walla Walla. Opening up, there is a great mix of ripe red fruits, espresso and vanilla on the nose. Further evolution seems to bring the wine to a darker side. The mouth is lush with velvety tannin, dense, and continues with more espresso/ mocha and some great tastes of raspberry/ blackberry pie. An awesome finish. Very interesting- keeps me coming back for another drink to see what else has evolved. Drinkable now but will do well with some age.”

2009 Merlot

Walla Walla Valley
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Golden Ridge and JK McDaniels Estate Vineyards

Release Date – November 2nd, 2012
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 32 months in European and American oak barrels of which 60% were new barrels
Cases Produced –Less than 100

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.4%

Tasting Notes:

"A very pretty wine. Think perfume and seduction. Baking spice and cherry licorice ropes come to mind, soft on the palate, but enough structure to hold its own. Nice chocolately, dry finish."

Winemaker Notes:

“Merlot has been something, as I have said before, is a wine we take very seriously at Sweet Valley. Merlot from across the Valley vineyards has taught me a lot about winemaking.  I can’t make Seven Hills Merlot like I make Golden Ridge Merlot.  Little nuances like that have made me fond of this varietal. This vintage is the first with our Estate, JK McDaniels Vineyard, which we are very proud of.”

2009 Syrah

Walla Walla Valley
100% Syrah
Morrison Lane and Les Collines Vineyards

Release Date – November 2nd, 2012
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 32 months in French oak barrels of which 35% were new barrels
Cases Produced – Less than 100

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.1%

Tasting Notes:

“Earthy, like going through your farmers market for fresh raspberries. Wet stones and anise. Grainy and furry in your mouth. Dark chocolate, reminds me of Valentine’s Day – make this Syrah your Valentine.”

Winemaker Notes:

“In 2009, a warm year, we did a minimalist approach to winemaking in all our wines. The velvety, lush tannins that were extracted during this vintage, with Syrah, are something that I have grown to love. Morrison Lane, the oldest Syrah vines in Walla Walla, form the base of this wine and give me back great fondness of the town that I grew up and reside in.”

2009 Viognier
Horse Heaven Hills in Columbia Valley
100% Viognier
McKinley Springs Vineyard

Release Date – May 4th, 2011
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Fermented in 50% new French oak, then aged for 18 months sur lie in stainless steel barrels
Cases Produced – Less than 100

Wine Composition:
Alcohol: 13.5%

Winemaker Notes:
“The first wine I ever released as a winemaker was the first vintage of this Sweet Valley Viognier.  We put a lot of effort and take pride into producing a great white wine for our portfolio.  This Viognier opens up with mango, tropical fruits, lime zest and then evolves into bananas, hints of straw and cool fruit.  The wine fills your mouth with pineapple, apricot, straw and balanced citrus.  The Viognier feels very balanced and is a bottle we are very proud of."

Righteous Wines - 2008 Red Wine

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

Release Date – November 1st, 2010
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging – Aged for 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.

Righteous Wines - 2009 Petit Verdot

Walla Walla Valley
Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Les Collines and Golden Ridge Vineyards

Release Date – May 4th, 2012
Winemaker – Josh McDaniels
Barrel Aging –Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels of which 33% were new barrels
Cases Produced – Less than 100

Wine Composition:

Alcohol: 14.5%

Winemaker Notes:

“We just came off of a stellar year of skiing here in the Pac. Northwest! RIGHTEOUS Wines are made just for those kinds of times. Inspired by the outdoors, go live that Righteous lifestyle! Raspberry puree, grape otter pops, mint and lavender in the background with anise. Silky mouthfeel, with lots of dark fruits and dark chocolate. Incredibly balanced and a very drinkable wine yet will certainly age well. We love Petit!”