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Wine of the Week -Dunham Cellars 2011 Trutina Columbia Valley @dunhamcellars

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 "Drink me." Alice never had it so good.

This is a wine we often serve at home parties. We drink it, so I never have a chance to review a bottle. This week I took time for tasting notes and reflection. Glad I did, and I discovered it is popular with many friends. I'll have to buy more for the next party.

“The Mad Hatter: "Would you like some wine?"
Alice: "Yes..."
The Mad Hatter: "We haven't any and you're too young.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

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Tasting Notes Dunham Cellars 2011 Trutina:

Color: Plum red/purple.
Nose: Earthy cherry, nice spike of violets, pencil, white pepper, rose petal.
Palate: Lovely at first taste, fluid cherry cordial, root beer hard candy, orange zest in background, lifted finish, graceful. Big Like.

After 15 minutes: Black cherry, brown sugar, pepper mill, ginger bread, root beer, orange cordial aromas. Cherry cordial, delicate tannin on the tongue and gums, vanilla, brown sugar/caramel, blueberry, with longer finish. Big Like.

After 30 minutes: Fantastic nose! My speed, mix of dark concentrated fruit, ginger bread/graham cracker, pepper mill/chocolate nibs, finely ground coffee, popcorn. Dark fruit flavor, cherry, coffee, chocolate, orange zest, tannin more present on tongue and gums, note of tamarind, pleasant tingle on tongue, medium finish.

After four hours: Cherry, raspberry, fruitcake vibe, graphite, polished, fine apple tannin, tasty dry finish, coffee, dark chocolate, plum, soy, Australian black licorice. Well done.

Day two: Managed to save 1/2 glass of wine for the second day. Marvelous! Lovely dark fruit, rich, pleasantly dry, earthy, chocolaty, vibrant, mouth pleasing with delectable tannin on the tongue and gums. Big Like.

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Thoughts: Buy me drink me. I suppose you could cellar this vintage for another 5 years. Why wait? It is wonderful today! Strongly Recommended + Wine of the Week.

Winemakers: Eric Dunham and Daniel Wampfler
Vineyards: Lewis Estate Vineyard, Phinny Hill Vineyard, Yellowbird Vineyard, Tokar Vineyard, Wallula Vineyard, Kenny Hill Estate Vineyard
Blend: 57% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV: 14.1%
SRP: $29

Dunham Cellars is located near the foothills of the Blue Mountains
150 E. Boeing Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington 99362
Phone 509.529.4685
www.dunhamcellars.com

“ALICE
She drank from a bottle called DRINK ME
And she grew so tall,
She ate from a plate called TASTE ME
And down she shrank so small.
And so she changed, while other folks
Never tried nothin' at all.” 
― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein
Food and wine for thought.

Note: This is not the current vintage but it is still available in stores where I live. The 2012 Trutina is the current vintage and receiving positive feedback. I'd check them both out.

Cheers!
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