Mullan Road Cellars 2012 Columbia Valley Red Wine Blend
Dennis Cakebread, from the renowned Napa Valley winery, Cakebread, ventured into Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, for a Bordeaux style blend of grapes, launching Mullan Road Cellars, a wine made from grapes purchased from Walla Walla’s Seven Hills vineyard. This is Cakebread’s first step into what could evolve into a full-fledged winery. Time will tell if the project gets legs.
Pouring a glass, the color was a very deep Ruby red, with noted aromas of dark fruit and sweet spice. On the palate, the blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, showed ripe dark fruit, blackberries and plums with a nice touch of oak, smoke and toast. The wine spent 16 months in 40% new French and American oak. The wine was full bodied and shows nice balance and subtle integrated tannins. My only disappointment is that I opened this wine early as I believe time will enhance this wine. I will grab a few more for the cellar and check back in a few years.
Cheers!