WINE TASTING NOTES ARCHIVE
RULO BIRCH CREEK CHARDONNAY 2009
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard
Birch Creek Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Medium straw yellow color. Aromas of baked apple and poached pear, underlying smells of Brioche and toasted oak fill the glass. A luscious, viscous Chardonnay in the mouth, showing its barrel fermented upbringing and partial malo-lactic fermentation. A full, rich flavored wine.
RULO BIRCH CREEK CHARDONNAY 2008
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard
Birch Creek Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Pale straw yellow. Lemon curd, ginger and white flowers in the nose. In the mouth, lightly toasted oak with creamy, leesy notes. Deeper elements of Comice pear, silky texture with tart pear, apple flavors and a hint of matchstick glyceride. Slightly reduced ML finish with echoes of smoky oak flavors.
RULO BIRCH CREEK CHARDONNAY 2007
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyards
The Birch Creek Vineyard is Walla Walla Valley fruit and formerly known as the Vanessa Vineyard.
Tasting Notes
The wine has a slightly smokey, nutty nose of fruit and baking spices. Pear and melon are most apparent in the mouth with a creamy texture added from sur lies aging. A rich but not flabby version of Chardonnay. This wine is fermented in French oak barrels.
RULO SUNDANCE CHARDONNAY 2009
Details
Appellation: Wahluke Slope
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard
The fruit is sourced from the Sundance Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA.
Tasting Notes
Very light straw with green hue in color. Elements of citrus rind and mint mixed with oyster shell and stone minerality. Very pointed and powerful. A brisk entry of lemongrass, melon and the classic Sundance Vineyard Lucky Stripe lemon/lime chewing gum. Focused acids, yet for a wine this chiseled, the viscosity is surprisingly rich. The finish comes full circle with citrus fruits and wet stone. We think this tastes as closely to a Chablis as any domestic wine we've tasted.
RULO SUNDANCE CHARDONNAY 2008
Details
Appellation: Wahluke Slope
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard
The fruit is sourced from the Sundance Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA.
Tasting Notes
Pale yellow with a hint of light green. Aromas of pear and apple plus a whiff of talc on the nose. Stainless steel barrel fermentation lets the core of stone fruits shine through with a hint of that Sundance signature 'Lucky Strip' lemon/lime gum flavor. A great wine with roast chicken.
RULO COMBINE 2009
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal: 96% Sauvignon Blanc / 4% Muscat Ottonel
Vineyards
The fruit is sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA (awaiting Ancient Lakes AVA approval).
Tasting Notes
Pale straw color. Scent of grapefruit peel, honeysuckle and lemongrass with a flinty, mineral background. A bracing, crisp entry in the mouth shows citrus, herbal and candied ginger elements. Ample acidity gives this great shape in the mouth with a long, dry finish. A wonderful patio-sitting summer afternoon wine!
RULO COMBINE 2008
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 96% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Chardonnay
Vineyards
96% Sauvignon Blanc (Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley)
4% Chardonnay (Birch Creek Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley)
Tasting Notes
Light straw in color with a faint trace of green hue. In the nose, aromatic notes of lemongrass, citrus peel and evaporating moisture off hot stones. Hint of early spring grasses. The mouth is full of flavors of lemon, grapefruit and other preserved citrus fruits. White plum and bracing acidity continue through the palate. Retained CO2 from cold fermentation complements the long minerally finish. Think liquid SweeTarts!
RULO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007
Details
Appellation: Ancient Lakes
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyards
Sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard in the pending Ancient Lakes appellation, George, WA.
Winemaking
This Sauvignon Blanc has been the basis of our white blend, Combine, for the past 3 years. In 2007 we elected to bottle the wine as 100% Sauvignon Blanc as it displayed the true characteristics of cooler climate Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, we love the faint green hue typical of the varietal. The nose has a piercing grapefruit/gooseberry aroma with a hint of green herb and "pipi du chat". The mouth is strikingly brisk with crisp citrus notes and screaming acid.
RULO VIOGNIER 2010
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Viognier
Vineyard
The River Rock Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Tasting Notes
Light yellow with green hue. Intense, focused nose of candied ginger, pear syrup, gardenia and tuberose blossoms. Brisk citrus and stone fruit flavors in the mouth bounded by good acidity; totally dry but leaves a sweet, long finish of minerals, wet stone and fruit.
RULO VIOGNIER 2009
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Viognier
Vineyard
The River Rock Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
RULO VIOGNIER 2008
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Viognier
Vineyards
The River Rock Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Tasting Notes
Pale straw color. Intense, piercing nose of jasmine, honeysuckle, bees wax, white flowers and poached pear syrup gives the impression of sweetness. The mouth, however, is totally dry with pear, white plum and lemongrass elements and a luscious, silky mouth feel from a hint of glycerine. Finishes long with echoes of citrus rind and minerals.
RULO VIOGNIER 2007
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Viognier
Vineyards
Our 2007 is sourced from two Walla Walla Valley sites; River Rock and Dwelley Vineyard.
Tasting Notes
The nose is aggressive white flower and acacia notes with a hint of wild gardenia. This wine has an assertive almost grüner-veltliner like nose. In the mouth, SURPRISE, a totally different animal! Essence of canned Bartlett pear syrup; only dry. Good acidic backbone with long lemon-lime Pixie Stix finish.
RULO VIOGNIER 2006
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Viognier
Vineyards
Our 2006 is sourced from two Walla Walla Valley sites; River Rock and Dwelley Vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Fermented in stainless steel uprights as well as stainless barrels, our intent was to make a crisp version of Viognier highlighting flavors of pear, apple and stone fruits. We do not allow this wine to undergo a malo-lactic fermentation in order to preserve the wines acidic backbone. It is left on the lees until we bottle in the early spring, giving the wine just a little creamy, nutty character.
RULO ROSÉ 2010
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyard
The Syrah is sourced from the Ausydna Vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Dark pink. Enticing nose of pomegranate, dried cranberries and watermelon. Full bodied Rose in the mouth; strawberry, cotton candy and Double Bubble chewing gum flavors. Totally refreshing and the perfect patio wine, but a serious wine nonetheless. Dry finish. The ultimate go-to wine for all kinds of foods and spur of the moment situations.
RULO ROSÉ 2009
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Varietal: 98% Syrah / 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard
The Syrah is sourced from the River Rock Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Tasting Notes
This wine was made utilizing the technique methode provencale (whole cluster pressing). In the nose, our Rosé shows cranberry, strawberry and watermelon aromas that follow into the mouth. Bone dry, this is the ideal summer quaffer to enjoy chilled. Whether nibbling on a bowl of assorted olives or more substantial fare, this wine is a great match.
RULO ROSÉ 2008
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards
Clifton Hill, Wahluke Slope
Tasting Notes
Nose of citrus, strawberry cream and fresh plum. In the mouth, this wine is savory versus sweet. Strawberry, tart cranberry and enough grip to remind you of its red grape origin.
This is the perfect summer wine.
RULO SYRCA 2007
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Blend: 77% Syrah / 23% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards
Walla Walla Valley Syrah, Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby/violet. Huge, complex nose of ripe red grape, smoked meats, charcoal and the perfect amount of subtle volatility. Bing cherry, cassis and tamarind paste flavors dominate the mouth with resinous notes of oak, graphite and tar. Firm tannins give the finish length and texture.
RULO SYRCA 2006
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley
Blend: 70% Syrah / 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards
All fruit in this blend is from the Walla Walla Valley.
Tasting Notes
The Cabernet is evident in the nose with black olive and herbal notes and a blueberry component from the Syrah. It has a soft entry of black fruits, spice and leather. Made from young vines, this wine is immediately approachable and should drink well for a number of years.
This is your summer BBQ wine!
RULO SYRAH 2007
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards
Clifton Hill, River Rock Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Deep purple/black color. Polished nose of boysenberry, raspberry liqueur, graphite, roasted meats and an undercurrent of wild mixed Provencal herbs. Velvety entry into the mouth with black/red fruits (blackberry and cassis), a background of smoky oak and a sweet viscous finish.
RULO SYRAH 2006
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards
Clifton Hill, Ranch at the End of the Road, River Rock Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Deep red purple. Very forward, almost explosive blueberry/blackberry nose with a hint of air-drying preserved meats, however, not gamey. Deeper notes of smoke, charcoal and tar with a whiff of white pepper. Very harmonious entry of red and black fruits, firm fine tannins and a background of oak. A resinous, slightly bramble Syrah varietal character with earth, pepper and black olives. Very balanced throughout the mouth.
RULO SYRAH 2005
Details
Appellation: Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards
A blend of all our Syrah holdings, vineyards in both Walla Walla and Columbia Valley.
Tasting Notes
Our Syrah has an intense blackberry and black cherry nose with smokey oak overlays. Blackberry, cassis, cedar and black pepper flavors are enveloped by a soft tannic structure.
RULO SILO 2006
Details
Appellation: Wahluke Slope
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Vineyards
This 100% syrah is primarily single vineyard from Clifton.
Tasting Notes
Deep purple to opaque in color. Exotic flavors of blueberry compote, crème de cassis and smoked game dominate with a hint of truffle/morel earthiness in the background. Huge, broad entry into the mouth with tremendous weight and purity. Fruit, smoked meats and minerals vie for attention on the palate. Finishes dessert rich which lasts at least one minute.
RULO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006
Details
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard
From Red Mountain fruit grown by Scott Williams.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby color with purple highlights. Polished nose of black cherry, Asian incense, cassis and toasted French oak. In the mouth, the wine shows again the black/red fruits of black cherry, blueberry and a rich, resinous character of graphite, smoked meats and vanilla. A long finish of polished fine tannins.