Winemaker Notes
#30 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022
The 2019 D2 aromas dance effortlessly between savory and dried fruit characteristics. Cranberries, roasted coffee beans, cassis and burnt orange are highlighted by deep, rich barrel tones of nutmeg, vanilla bean, dark chocolate and clove. As the wine develops in the glass, the fruit profile shifts between red and dark fruits, a trademark of D2 that we love. An inviting freshness and pronounced herbal quality on the palate leads to a structure that is refined despite the wine's youth. Cellar for 15+ years.
Blend: 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 D2 (60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is terrific, with a ruby/purple hue as well as gorgeous cassis and black cherry fruits, notes of spicy, dried herbs, and lead pencil, medium to full body, and a pure, balanced, undeniably delicious profile. It's going to keep for 15-20 years and is one heck of a wine. Best After 2022.
-
Wine Spectator
Polish meets structure in this red, which offers well-defined black cherry, toasty spice and bay leaf accents as this slowly unfurls toward fine-grained tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now
-
James Suckling
Aromas of ripe red cherry, red licorice, dried sage and suede. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Wet-mineral character mixes with bright red fruit. Ripe raspberries, cherries and sweet paprika. Toasted finish. 67% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Best after 2023.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Merlot comprises 60% of this wine and Cabernet Sauvignon 34%, with the rest bits of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The aromas pull you into the glass, with notes of plum, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla and spice. The flavors are reserved and creamy feeling, delivering on all that promise.
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.
A large and geographically diverse AVA capable of producing a wide variety of wine styles, the Columbia Valley AVA is home to 99% of Washington state’s total vineyard area. A small section of the AVA even extends into northern Oregon!
Because of its size, it is necessarily divided into several distinctive sub-AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley—which are both further split into smaller, noteworthy appellations. A region this size will of course have varied microclimates, but on the whole it experiences extreme winters and long, hot, dry summers. Frost is a common risk during winter and spring. The towering Cascade mountain range creates a rain shadow, keeping the valley relatively rain-free throughout the entire year, necessitating irrigation from the Columbia River. The lack of humidity combined with sandy soils allows for vines to be grown on their own rootstock, as phylloxera is not a serious concern.
Red wines make up the majority of production in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety here, where it produces wines with a pleasant balance of dark fruit and herbs. Wines made from Merlot are typically supple, with sweet red fruit and sometimes a hint of chocolate or mint. Syrah tends to be savory and Old-World-leaning, with a wide range of possible fruit flavors and plenty of spice. The most planted white varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. These range in style from citrus and green apple dominant in cooler sites, to riper, fleshier wines with stone fruit flavors coming from the warmer vineyards.