Walla Walla Winery I - Isenhower Cellars

Denise and Brett Isenhower founded Isenhower Cellars in 1999 and for at least the past few years have been making excellent wine pretty much across the board. Their production is now 5000 cases and and quite varied. The 2006 Viognier is made from Walla Walla fruit and is fresh with a tangy finish. The 2006 Red Mountain Ciel du Cheval Roussanne is very well made. The 2006 Horse Heaven Hills Rose is made from 42% Counoise , 41% Mourvedre and 17% Grenache and is bone dry. This is one of the best Roses I've ever had. The 2005 Columbia Valley Wild Thyme ( get it?) is ready to drink, but the 2005 Walla Walla Valley Red Paintbrush needs a little age like the 2005 Looking Glass Syrah. I thought I detected a little greenness in the 2005 Columbia Valley Wild Alfalfa Syrah. This broad array of wines made from grapes from all over Washington state is typical of winemaking here in the Northwest. Denise had the good sense to list " recommended enjoyment times on a flier, now if only wimemakers would put the same information on the back label.