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The 2023 growing season in Washington began with a warm and welcoming spring, setting the stage for an exceptional vintage. Growing Degree Days mirrored those of the outstanding 2021 season, signaling a return to beautifully balanced conditions. As summer unfolded, the vineyards thrived under ideal weather; warm, sun-drenched days and cool, refreshing evenings creating the perfect environment for steady vine development and optimal ripening. Mother Nature continued her generosity into fall, offering a stretch of pristine weather that allowed the fruit to remain on the vine until it reached peak maturity and ideal brix levels, ensuring remarkable flavor, concentration, and balance.
Nature has been kind to us this year. The vines weathered winter beautifully, untouched by frost, and generous rains have replenished our reservoirs. The entire estate stands meticulously pruned, with vibrant buds now unfurling their tender green shoots across the vineyard. Though temperatures have lingered on the cooler side, this gentle start promises ideal conditions for slow, character-building development in our vines.
While the vineyard quietly hums with new life, the cellar has been a hive of focused creativity. Over the winter months, our team and I have spent countless hours in blending trials. tasting, refining, and seeking that elusive moment when a wine truly sings. I’m proud to say the 2024 vintage blends are now resting peacefully in oak, evolving gracefully until the time comes to share them with you.
In the meantime, I’m delighted to introduce our newest releases, each ready to elevate your spring and summer moments. The 2023 Cabernet Franc shines with bright red fruits and subtle herbal notes, offering effortless versatility from laid-back afternoon picnics to intimate dinner gatherings. Our 2023 Carménère brings a touch of intrigue, unfolding with exotic spice and velvety plum, an ideal companion for al fresco meals and sunset conversations. Finally, the 2022 Petit Verdot makes a bold and elegant statement, layered with blackberry, dark chocolate, and violet, its refined tannins inviting you to savor it slowly, perhaps alongside a seared tomahawk steak or beside a crackling campfire beneath the stars.
Each of these wines tells the story of the season and our commitment to thoughtful, patient winemaking. I look forward to sharing them with you and hearing about the memories they help create.
-Bobby Richards
2023 Cabernet Franc $50 retail
Walla Walla Valley
We work with all the traditional Bordeaux varietals, including Cabernet Franc. This wine is grown in the southern hills of Summit Vineyard and the volcanic-laced silt loams of our McClellan Estate Vineyard, two of the most intriguing Cabernet Franc sites in the Walla Walla Valley. It is always delightful for blending, but as the years have gone by, we have become more and more enchanted with it
as a remarkable stand-alone wine. 100% Cabernet Franc from McClellan Estate (52%) and Summit View Vineyard (48%) in the Southwest Walla Walla Valley focusing on deep silt-loam soils and mid-elevation. Open top fermented, aged in 25% new French 300L barrels for 14 months. Crossflow filtered.
This Cabernet Franc beautifully reflects both its varietal character and the unique terroir of the vineyard’s deep silt-loam soils and hillside slopes. The wine pours a garnet hue, offering aromatic layers of strawberries, black raspberries, and a subtle note reminiscent of freshly shaved #2 pencil, complemented by hints of anise and fresh thyme. On the palate, it is medium-light in body with balanced acidity, delivering flavors of strawberries and black cherries with touches of 60% dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Silky, integrated tannins frame the wine, carrying
through a lingering, elegant finish.
Perfect alongside mushroom risotto, beef bourguignon, herb-crusted lamb chops, or aged gouda. Enjoyable now, this vintage also has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 3 to 5 years.
2023 Carmènére $50 retail
Walla Walla Valley
Seven Hills Winery has worked with Bordeaux varietals for over 30+ years and bottles all six varietals, showcasing each grape’s unique characteristics. We work with all the traditional Bordeaux varietals, including Carménère, the “long lost grape of Bordeaux.” This wine is grown in the southern hills of Summit View Vineyard and the volcanic-laced silt loams of our SHW Estate Vineyard, along with a Northern valley site of Minnick Hills, three of the most intriguing Carménère sites in the Walla Walla Valley. It is always delightful for blending, but as the years have gone by, we have become more and more enchanted with it as a remarkable stand-alone wine.
A vibrant garnet hue with purple undertones leads into expressive aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and blueberries, accented by hints of pink peppercorn and fresh violets. On the palate, this wine offers a medium-light body and bright acidity, with a silky, juicy texture. Flavors of muddled mixed berries, milk chocolate, and baking spices are complemented by subtle notes of vanilla bean, all carried through to a smooth, juicy finish.
Pair with lentil stew seasoned with cumin and paprika, carnitas tacos, barbeque ribs, or grilled skirt steak topped with chimichurri. This wine also makes a great introduction for those exploring more complex red wine profiles.
2022 McClellan Estate Petit Verdot $50 retail
Walla Walla Valley
Each year we bottle small amounts of traditional Bordeaux “blending” varietals on their own. To be selected for a single varietal bottling the wine must not only be excellent but also show the typicity and character of the grape varietal. Petit Verdot is known for its structure, with bold tannin, bright acidity, dark fruit, and savory undernotes. We have grown Petit Verdot at our McClellan Estate Vineyard since 2003 and have used it as a blending varietal in Pentad (our top cuvée and Flagship wine) and other wines since 2001. Our 2022 vintage is 100% Petit Verdot from fan-trained vines at McClellan Estate Vineyard, showcasing purity and intensity. Fermented in open-top vessels to enhance depth and structure, then aged for 22 months in 50% new Russian oak barrels (225L), adding layers of spice and elegant texture. Gently refined through crossflow filtration, this wine is a bold yet polished expression of our estate fruit.
This deep ruby wine opens with pronounced aromas of black currant, plum, and mulling spices, layered with subtle hints of coffee bean and pipe tobacco. On the palate, it showcases a robust structure and velvety texture, delivering concentrated flavors of black cherry, marionberry, and dark chocolate. Nuances of leather add depth, all balanced by medium-plus acidity and firm, integrated tannins.
An excellent companion to roasted lamb shoulder or herb-crusted venison with rosemary, sage, and garlic. Also pairs beautifully with wild mushroom and truffle dishes. Enjoy now or allow it to evolve gracefully over the next 3 to 8 years.
November 1: Pentad Dinner
November 1&2: Fall Release Weekend
For more information or to reorder these wines:
Please contact us at INFO@SEVENHILLSWINERY.COM or 509-593-6226