Walla Walla, WA
Last week we were in Walla Walla and wanted to try some new wineries that we had never tasted. This turned out to be an excellent idea. We discovered Maison Bleue on Second Avenue right downtown.
We were greeted by Barb. She was super pleasant and very knowledgeable about both the winery and all of their wines. It was really fun talking to her.
The grapes come their estate vineyard which is near the Rocks District in the Milton-Freewater AVA. I am not usually a fan of minerality in my wine and avoid wines that use grapes from the rocks, so I was completely surprised by these wines. I thought they were delicious.
Other vineyards they source their grapes from include Funk Estate, LeFore, Les Collines and Stone Valley.
A Reserve Tasting Flight is $25. You can also purchase a plate of Cheese & Crackers or Dark Chocolate Truffles to go with your tasting. We tried the following wines:
2021 Lisette Rose (Grenache) – This was our “Welcome Pour” and I really enjoyed it
2020 Voltigeur Viognier – This was just an okay for me. If you really that baking spice flavor in your wine then you should love this, $45/bottle
2016 Voyageur Syrah – This was very nice. I enjoyed the very deep lush bouquet. $58/bottle
2018 Frontiere Syrah – Al liked this one. I thought it was a bit minerally for my taste. $75/bottle
After these tastes, Barb turned us over to Joe. He is Tasting Room Associate for the Pambrun Wines. Joe was very knowledgeable about these wines. They come from the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley on a high elevation and have a completely different character than the other wines that we tasted.
2016 Merlot – Many Merlots are a bit flabby but this one was complex and interesting. I actually enjoyed the nuances of minerals in this wine. I couldn’t resist and purchased a bottle. $65/bottle
2019 Chrysologue – This is a Bordeaux-style blend has a very complex concentration of fruit and herb. I especially liked the finish. $70/bottle
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon – This would be an awesome wine with grilled meats. It has a wonderful soft mouth-feel. While it is delicious now, I think it would really be amazing if it were to age for a few years. $75/bottle
This is a terrific spot with very good wines. I would not overlook it when planning a Walla Walla tasting. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and we enjoyed a great spot outdoors. They even brought out a bowl of water for our dog.
Susan’s Score – I enjoyed this immensely and will be back. If you like some minerality in your wines, you will definitely be a fan. Definitely add Maison Bleue to your itinerary.