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Basalt Cellars 2012 Red Dessert Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $24

By on August 1, 2018

basalt cellars dessert wine 2012 label - Basalt Cellars 2012 Red Dessert Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $24Rick Wasem in Clarkston, Wash., produced five barrels worth of fortified wine, a 50/50 blend of Petit Verdot and Syrah from Spofford Station south of downtown Walla Walla. Three years ago, it merited a gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. However, this release is from a barrel that received an extra 18 months of aging, and the results are rather fascinating. Classic aromas of golden raisins, espresso beans, poached cherry and prunes lead to flavors of strawberry jam, cherries in a heavy syrup and vanilla bourbon. Resolved tannins and skillful alcohol integration allow for luscious enjoyment of the dark red fruit and the 10% residual sugar. Suggested pairings for this 375-millilter bottling include chocolate and cheesecake. Wasem’s wines are available in restaurants and wine shops throughout Washington, nearby Idaho and Oregon, including more than a dozen locations in Portland.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 120 cases

Alcohol: 19.6%

Winery website

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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