Wine Recommendation
Morrison Lane
2003 Nebbiolo(Walla Walla Valley)
The Morrison Lane vineyard, planted in 1994, is best known for its Syrah, particularly the vineyard-designated version produced by Walla Walla’s K Vintners. But the 23 acre estate has spawned its own tiny winery, which produces under 1000 cases of wines rarely seen in the valley, or anywhere else for that matter. For Dean Morrison, who owns the vineyard with his wife Verdie, loves to experiment. Included in the plantings are a few rows each of Viognier, Counoise, Cinsault, Carmenère, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, and the winery makes a few cases of each.
The Nebbiolo, the first to be produced in the Walla Walla valley, includes ten percent Dolcetto and five percent Syrah in the blend. Tight, acidic, with plenty of color and a youthful grapeyness, it’s a nice effort, with a fair hint of varietal character. Despite the success with this initial vintage, none was made in 2004 (the freeze year) or 2005. “Too heavy a crop,” Dean explains, “and the grapes had too much acid. Nebbiolo needs shade or it burns and doesn’t get color.” Undaunted, he’ll try again in 2006.
Reviewed August 18, 2006 by Paul Gregutt.
The Wine
Winery: Morrison Lane |
The Reviewer
Paul Gregutt
Paul Gregutt values these things in wine above all: typicity, specificity, clarity, elegance, polish, depth and balance. He recognizes that there are genuine flaws in some wines, and it is important to know and identify them. Wines that are too ripe, too oaky or alcoholic to the point where nuance and detail are obliterated are not going to win his praise. Price is a factor in his evaluation of any wine; a good $8 wine is much harder to make than a good $80 wine. |