Wine of the Week: Bombing Range Red 2010 Horse Heavens Hills

Serious New Look - Same Great Value.

I'm a fan of McKinley Springs wines. As I've expressed before, this small, family-owned and operated estate winery, produces wines true to the varietal. They taste like you expect, compliment your meals and are reasonably priced. The Bombing Range Red is a red wine blend which I first enjoyed a couple of years ago. Checking my blog I've reviewed or mentioned McKinley Springs nine times. Look for their wines.

The Bombing Range Red label was introduced in 2005. The original label had a colorful graphic novel look which was easy to spot on the shelf. A casual wine with a playful look. However, I've learned from other wineries and their recent label changes, that our fond and friendly, playful looking designs, are not taken seriously outside of Washington state. If you want to sell more wine, sometimes you have to reconsider the look of the label.

New label features 1943 photo of U.S. P-40 fighter plane at U.S. base in China.

McKinley Springs Bombing Range Red has a new look. With the 2010 vintage, the label has an actual photograph from World War II. The look is certainly more serious than the original design. It is inspired by the history of the vineyard. During WWII, families in the Horse Heaven Hills were asked to leave their farms so the area could be used to train fighter pilots. Their farms became a bombing range. They still find shell casings in their 2000 acre family vineyard!

Tasting Notes McKinley Springs 2010 Bombing Range Red

Color: Lovely Garnet, gem quality with lavender rim.

Nose: Red fruit, leather jacket, ripe raspberry, pencil shavings, light smoke.

Palate: Cherry, bright mid-palate, coffee notes, smooth, cheery finish, lightly dry with cola and cherry flesh. Longer than expected finish. Wonderful showcase of Horse Heaven Hills fruit.

Thoughts: Instantly likable at opening and until the bottle was finished. Pair this wine with BBQ, hot sauce, or pasta. It was a most enjoyable red table wine with enough cheer to please many. It put me in a good mood. This wine kept my interest and stimulated my appetite, even after dinner. This wine has Quality + Value. Recommended.

Closure: Screw cap

Blend: 56% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 10% Mourvedre.

AVA: Horse Heaven Hills

ABV: 13.8%
Doug Rowell, Winemaker
Rob Andrews, Grower

1,650 cases produced

Sample provided by winery

SRP $16

www.mckinleysprings.com

Tasting room will be open by appointment only. Please call 509.830.0774 or email Sandy to set up an appointment (please schedule 2 weeks in advance).

* Join McKinley Springs and fellow Horse Heaven Hills AVA winegrowers for the Annual Trail Drive event Saturday, July 19. Meet and taste with the vineyard owners and winegrowers, enjoy a BBQ and more. Visit the HHHWG website for tickets and more information.

Related Post: Review 2008 McKinley Springs Bombing Range Red

Note: This wine would be a perfect gift for pilots, aviation fans and history buffs. Perfectly suited to your next BBQ party too. I enjoyed this wine.

Cheers!

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