Skip to main content

Review: Planing Mill Red Columbia Valley 2008

2008 Planing Mill Columbia Valley Red Wine.
My teenage son is drinking a lot of milk. So much so, that I find it most economical to purchase milk at Costco. At Costco two gallons costs almost $5, so at less than $2.50 per gallon, that's where I go. It just so happens that eggs, cheese and milk are located next to the wine section of the store. It is nearly impossible for me not to browse for wine when I'm on a milk run. This week was no exception, I could not pass on a bottle of 2008 Planning Mill Red, especially at the price of $10.99.

Planing Mill is a second label for Seven Hills Winery. Established in 1988, Seven Hills Winery is one of Walla Walla Valley's oldest wineries. Casey McClellan is the founder, winemaker and a fourth generation farmer.

How was the wine? On day one this wine reminded me of a young Syrah. It drank young, clear ruby color, bright with dark fruit, violets and spice. By day two, the 2008 Planing Mill Red, was much broader. The young Syrah characteristics gave way to what I would describe as Malbec in character with dark color, a nose of violets, currant, cinnamon, tar, oak, and blueberry. On the palate was dark fruit, pips, med tannins, currant, still young, fresh and bright, yummmm...chocolate on the bigger finish. The finish was quite gorgeous. Drink this wine over the next three years. I suggest decanting before drinking. Recommended.

Release Info:
Blend:  65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 7%  Malbec, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
Appellations: Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, Wahluke Slope.
ABV 14.5%
Production: 1500 cases
Bottled May 2011
Closure: Screwcap
Price at Costco: $10.99

www.sevenhillswinery.com

Cheers!

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle must

My Current State of Wine

"Do I still work in the wine industry?" Like many of you, the Covid pandemic altered my life trajectory. Today, I am going to re-cap where I am in the wine industry. My story will bounce back and forth for context. Remember, I like to connect the dots. The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, Washington. First, everyone asks me, what happened to the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center (Clore Center)? Good question. The Clore Center, located in Prosser, Washington, birthplace of Washington wine, opened in 2014 as a not for profit. The primary mission of the Clore Center was to promote " Washington state wine ." I began working at the Clore Center in October 2015. My last title was, Wine Education Coordinator . We finally, sadly, closed our doors in November 2020.  It was my sincerest pleasure to work at the Clore Center for five years. I made many friends in the industry and in the community. I met many people from around the country and from around th

A Special Oregon Pinot Noir with Eastern North Carolina Inspired Ribs #OTBN #winePW 10

Open That Bottle Night - A great excuse for a Wine Pairing Weekend.  February 28th was Open That Bottle Night - I selected a bottle of wine I helped blend using barrel samples of Pinot Noir from R. Stuart winery in McMinville, Oregon. I was saving this bottle for a special occasion and knew it was likely time to open and drink. I hoped it had improved. "Blending wine is no task for mere mortals."   - William Pollard Jr.  Our Wine Pairing Weekend group decided Open That Bottle Night would be an appropriate occasion to pair our selected bottle of wine with something special as well. After some consideration, I decided North Carolina ribs would likely pair well with my special bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir. For this post I'll review the wine first, then provide the recipe, and wrap up with the results of this wine + food pairing. *Note: What is Open That Bottle Night? Wife and Husband columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher invented Open That Bottle