Winemaker Notes
The vineyards are located in the ancient riverbed of the Walla Walla River on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. The topsoil consists of 12-18” inches of a mix of silty loam and basalt cobblestones. Beneath is a layer of pure compacted cobblestones, hundreds of feet deep in places.
Blend: 45% Cabernet-Franc, 44% Merlot, 11% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Sporting one of the best labels out there (it literally has a flying pig on it), the 2019 Flying Pig is 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. I love its texture, and it's incredibly pure, refined, and seamless, with medium to full bodied richness as well as a Bordeaux-like nose of blackcurrants, mulled cherries, sandalwood, leafy herbs, sweet earth, and hints of charcoal. It has some upfront appeal, yet the tannins emerge with time in the glass, and this beauty warrants 3-5 years in the cellar. It's going to have 20-25+ years of prime drinking. It's a stunning wine and matches the 2018 as one of the finest vintages out there. Best After 2025
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James Suckling
A nose of juicy red and black fruit, accented by notes of cured meat, sweet paprika and toasted thyme. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Succulent fruit with notes of vanilla, grated nutmeg and cardamom. Lovely. 45% cabernet franc, 44% merlot and 11% cabernet sauvignon.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Flying Pig is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose expresses dark red and black fruit aromas with fresh notes of sage and sweet red pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a bright and flashy flavor profile, a polished frame and savory notes before an umami essence gives way to hints of black truffle and firm tannins.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers.
The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends into Oregon. Soils here are well-drained, sandy loess over Missoula Flood deposits and fractured basalt.
It is a region perfectly suited to Rhône-inspired Syrahs, distinguished by savory notes of red berry, black olive, smoke and fresh earth. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot create a range of styles from smooth and supple to robust and well-structured. White varieties are rare but some producers blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, resulting in a rich and round style, and plantings of Viognier, while minimal, are often quite successful.
Of note within Walla Walla, is one new and very peculiar appellation, called the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. This is the only AVA in the U.S. whose boundaries are totally defined by the soil type. Soils here look a bit like those in the acclaimed Rhône region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but are large, ancient, basalt cobblestones. These stones work in the same way as they do in Chateauneuf, absorbing and then radiating the sun's heat up to enhance the ripening of grape clusters. The Rocks District is within the part of Walla Walla that spills over into Oregon and naturally excels in the production of Rhône varieties like Syrah, as well as the Bordeaux varieties.