Winemaker Notes
Perigee captures the essence of this estate vineyard through hallmark notes of cedar and fresh, ripe red fruits, including dark cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, all framed by refined structure. Layers of spiced red currant, cocoa, and cigar box are accented by delicate floral notes and savory hints of mint and sage. The finish unfolds with remarkable length and grace, buoyed by vibrant acidity and supported by silky, powder-fine tannins.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Wonderful aromas that open up a lot in the glass. Red fruit, lovely floral notes, mint, stones and wild herbs on the nose. A plush, mouth-filling texture with fine tannins and a long finish. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The vines for 2023 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard were originally planted in 1980 and sit at 900 to 1,000 feet elevation. Half Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest is Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot in that order, the wine soft and spicy in black pepper and tobacco. The tannins are well-resolved and lengthy, with a wealth of complementary red fruit, the finish round and rewarding. Drink 2030-2040.
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Wine Enthusiast
A ripe, sweet Rainier cherry scent is counterpointed by aromas of orange zest, talc and the woody note of a popsicle stick. There's a touch of alcohol heat on the tongue at first, but soon enough, flavors like blackberries, cedar and black coffee join the party. The wine has a slick and slippery texture to go along with its juicy acidity and velvety tannins. This Bordeaux-inspired blend spent nearly two years in French oak, 40% new.
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.