Featured reviews and articles
Tanjuli Winery 2012 Estate Carménère, Rattlesnake Hills
By Great Northwest Wine on December 13, 2015
Tom Campbell’s résumé in the Northwest wine industry includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, Covey Run, the Woodhouse Wine Estates and his own Mission Mountain Winery near Flathead Lake in his native Montana, but his heart remains in his vineyard within the Yakima Valley’s Rattlesnake Hills. He cropped his Carménère, a high-density planting of 1,620 vines per acre, to 1.2 tons an acre. That resulted in the equivalent of three barrels of wine, and his bottling of this less-known Bordeaux variety is fascinating. His level of extraction and use of oak allows for a nose of blackberry and black currant among herbal hints of thyme and eucalyptus with black and white peppercorns. The pour brings cassis, boysenberry and pomegranate, a fruity mix that makes for juicy acidity and medium tannins, backed by a slice of red bell pepper. Campbell and his wife, Hema, suggest serving this alongside Beef Teriyaki and a variety of spicy or savory fare.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 70 cases
Alcohol: 13.7%
Tanjuli Winery 2013 Estate Picpoul Blanc, Rattlesnake Hills
By Great Northwest Wine on November 7, 2015
Rattlesnake Hills vintner Tom Campbell was on the ground floor of what would become Covey Run and founded Horizon’s Edge Winery. More recently, he’s dedicated himself to showcasing some obscure grape varieties, including this underappreciated white that’s native to the Rhone Valley. His high-density planting of 1,640 vines per acre lead to a production of 2.6 tons per acre, which he put through a slow fermentation in stainless steel. That yields aromas of apricot, canteloupe, dusty orange, baked pear and spearmint. The drink brings a rich entry of ripe peach and Golden Delicious apple, followed by bold acidity and a flourish of starfruit, lemon oil and tangerine flavors. The Campbells suggest serving this with Chilean Sea bass or fish tacos.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 159 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
Tanjuli Winery 2012 Estate Pinot Noir, Rattlesnake Hills
By Washington Tasting Room Magazine, Tasting Room Picks: Washington vs The World
Sourced from the winery's Rattlesnake Hills vineyard. Nose: Dusty dark red fruit, cola, fig, and a whiff of dried herbs. Taste: Supple, pure and elegant, with concentrated ripe raspberry, plum, black cherry and fig, leading to anise, crushed gravel and earthen spice. Fine sweet tannins grace the vibrant finish.
