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Dunham Cellars 2016 Trutina Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $29

By on November 6, 2019

A Latin reference to balance, winemaker Robert Campisi achieves that in delectable fashion for Dunham Cellars with this Left Bank Bordeaux approach. Vineyard sources such as Lewis in the Yakima Valley, Double Canyon in the Horse Heaven Hills and the Kenny Hill Estate in the Walla Walla Valley combine for a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Merlot (40%), Malbec (12%) and Cabernet Franc. The use of 30% new oak, an even split between French and American, does not get in the way as charming notes of violet and lavender mix marvelously with ripe huckleberry, Marionberry and dried plum. Its complex midpalate is lovely as the sweet herbs lift fruit just enough to keep this from a pure expression of hedonism. This marks the 19th vintage for Dunham to produce the Trutina, and it earned a gold medal at the Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition, a scholarship fundraiser for Walla Walla Community College’s winemaking program.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 6,951 cases

Alcohol: 14%

Winery website

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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