Although I have developed the (tentative) hypothesis that Seven Hills’ reds will generally best be enjoyed within several years, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard they showed me still possesses a modicum of primary juiciness to accompany its interestingly evolved aromas and flavors of spirituous blackberry, cassis, cigar box and leather, the latter slightly suggestive of bacteriological influence. Saline, alkaline, and stony elements add a mineral dimension without however contributing anything by way of finishing invigoration or salivary stimulation. I would definitely want to enjoy any bottles soon. While continuing to source from the eponymous Walla Walla vineyard that this winery’s proprietors Casey and Vicky McClellan helped plant three decades ago and that has since also become a mainstay for many others, Seven Hills the producer taps into a wide range of other fruit sources, some well-known. During a 15 year stretch making wine from Seven Hills Vineyard under this label, the McClellans and their then vineyard partners only shared its fruit with Leonetti and a couple of other wineries. After the dissolution of the original Seven Hills Vineyard partnership, the couple dropped out of winemaking for a time but retained contracts on their share of acreage, reemerging as a winery in 2003, along with a McClellan estate vineyard immediately adjacent to Seven Hills Vineyard. The house style often (at least in the reds I tasted) incorporates herbaceous elements yet at the same time tends toward almost syrupy fruit – notwithstanding Casey McClellan’s claim to be a relatively earlier picker and his wines’ modest alcohol levels – with prominent impressions of oak (often including its tannins) even though the share of new wood is typically not more than half. Some of the reds are given well over two years’ elevage, which in the case of a 2009 Red Mountain Cabernet Reserve resulted in some dulling opacity and brutal tannins. Whites – particularly Riesling – from a wide range of vineyard sources represent a significant share of Seven Hill’s production, but I can’t say that I was notably impressed by the three 2011s they showed me, the Riesling among which was a bit sweet-sour with a rather clenched green apple back end. Tel. (509) 529-7198

This is from Seven Hills vineyard grapes, soft on entry with spicy, warm, black cherry and blackberry fruit, wrapped nicely in well-integrated barrel flavors. Mocha, chocolate, hints of mulberry and a soft, fruity midpalate that seems to fall off just a bit at the tail end. ——P.G.(12/15/2005)—— 89

This Klipsun vineyard/Red Mountain Cab is thickly tannic and showing fairly strong herbal/black olive flavors, along with wild berry. Big and a bit rugged, but great for steaks. ——P.G.(12/15/2005)—— 88