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Home > Popular Red Varietals >

Spring Valley "Uriah" Merlot Blend Walla Walla Valley 2006 (Washington) - Rank #60 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009 - 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast - 93 Points

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Winery: Spring Valley
Varietal: 54% Merlot 33% Cab. Franc 7% Petit Verdot 6%Malbec
Region: Washington
Vintage: 2006
Bottle Size: 750 ml

Product Code: SPRINGVALLEYURIAHMERLOT2006-W

Qty:

Press / Wine Critic's Reviews

Rank #60 - Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009

Notes From The Winemaker:

Following the tradition of Uriah, Frederick, and Nina Lee Corkrum, Shari Corkrum Derby and her husband Dean Derby continue to operate the wheat, vineyard, and winery. Dean’s brother, Gaynor Derby, manages the vineyard. The hard work, traditional values, and deep family ties that have kept the ranch going for over 100 years are mirrored in Spring Valley Vineyard’s signature offerings.

The Vineyard

Spring Valley Vineyard is situated 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla and spread amid the
picturesque wheat fields of southeastern Washington. The unique microclimate of Spring Valley allows the grapes to develop their own distinct characteristics. Vines follow the north-south slope of the hills in vertical rows. This orientation, coupled with the declination of slope, allows the vines to receive optimal sunshine, drainage, and the reflective effects of the surrounding hills.

Under Gaynor Derby’s direction, every grape is tended by hand, including crop thinning, leaf pulling, and harvesting. The Derbys are committed to sustainable farming practices, as have all the generations prceeding them, and use techniques such as “rip and ridge” tilling for maximum composting and water retention.

Vintage

The 2006 growing season began with a mild spring, followed by a hot, dry summer which
contributed to excellent acid levels, balanced canopies, and small berries with concentrated
flavors. Mild temperatures in August helped to extend the ripening period into September
and October, leading to fantastic fruit quality across varietals at Spring Valley Vineyard.

Winemaking

Spring Valley Vineyard fruit is hand-picked, hand-sorted, and gently de-stemmed by gravity.
During the 10–20 day fermentation, each tank is tasted daily until pressing decision using wooden cage basket presses. In keeping with Spring Valley tradition, hand punchdowns occur three times a day until the end of alcoholic fermentation. The wine is transferred by pump into barrel for secondary fermentation, and then gets racked and blended together several
times for clarity. Finally, the different lots are blended to create our five distinctive labels.

What Does It Taste Like?

"A nose of complex dark fruit with hints of cedar, crushed stone, an dry herbs leads into black fruit, licorice, and grenadine syrup on the palate. The perfectly integrated oak leaves no edge and the huge tannins are packed and concentrated but melt on the mouth. This wine has great aging potential and can be enjoyed now." - Serge Laville, Winemaker

Ratings / Reviews:

Wine Spectator Magazine - 93 Points:
"Smooth and focused, with a cigar box character to make the ripe blackberry and currant fruit more interesting, finishing with polished tannins. Has great presence without being pushy, and the finish doesn't quit. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now through 2014. 5,000 cases made." -HS

Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 93 Points:
"This new Uriah marks a return to form; big, brawny, chewy and complex, yet generous and complete. The blend continues as before—54% Merlot, 33% Cab Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and 6% Malbec, all estate-grown. The wine opens with barrel scents and flavors of tea, tobacco and wood smoke. The cherry-flavored fruit saturates the tobacco notes, gaining mass and turning into cherry cobbler as it does." - P.G. (8/1/2009)

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