Winemaker Notes
Produced by the En Chamberlin Vineyard. 2000 saw the planting of 10 more stony acres. Grafted on phyloxera resistant rootstock, it's another first for the region.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Another expressive red from this estate, the 2021 Impulsivo (100% Tempranillo) has a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as iron, sandalwood, and violets. A rich, medium to full-bodied, structured wine on the palate, it has building tannins, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of meaty, gamey, umami character on the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
I lack Impulsivo control when it comes to full-bodied Tempranillo action. Nectarine, cherry and fig aromas are a lovely start, with bits of tobacco, sandalwood and violets in the background. Mouthdrying tannins form a wall around flavors of black cherry, cacao nibs and clove.
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Vinous
The 2021 Tempranillo Impulsivo is impossibly dark and intense, smoldering up with notes of incense, dried rose, ashen stone, seared meat and black raspberry. It is seductively round and supple with soft textures matched by vividly ripe red berry fruits and a cascade of inner florals. Hints of blood orange combine with salty minerals and fine tannins as the 2021 finishes long and spicy
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Admittedly, I’m a lover of Tempranillo from Spain. While this is nothing close to the Rioja expression, the 2021 Impulsivo does have plenty of admirable qualities, possessing a generous profile of dusty, dark red fruit, with aromas that slowly release from the glass with elements of beef broth and sour plum reduction. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows considerable weight and texture before displaying silky tannins with a delightful umami essence. After last year’s vintage, I’m happy to say this bottling is back on track and firing on all cylinders. The wine aged 18 months in 50% new and neutral French oak demi-muids, foudre and barrels.
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James Suckling
Some gamey undertones along with ripe black plum fruit, smoked paprika, spice box and smoked tea aromas. It’s meaty and concentrated with a full body and muscular, broad tannins. Savory umami in the firm finish.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
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.