Dark and focused, with firm texture supporting a lithe core of minerally blackberry, tar, and black pepper flavors. Juicy finish. Best after 2014. 400 cases made. 90 points -Harvey Steiman winespectator.com

Eater Seattle named Balboa one of Walla Walla’s eleven “liveliest” and least judgmental tasting rooms. 

“This family-run winery is a great stop for folks wine tasting with the whole brood. There are dogs to play with, golf on the flat screens, lively art pieces and plenty of room to run amok. Winemaker Tom Glase and his wife Amy, whose artwork graces the walls, welcome guests with the open arms of folks you’d think you had known for years. Think of it as a Walla Walla home away away from home, just with a way better wine selection.” -Zibby Wilder, Eater.com

2009 Balboa “Wraith” Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75)
This is a superb combination of 75% Syrah and 25% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge and Eidolon vineyards. Inky purplish colored, it emits a bold nose of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, black roses, lavender, and spiced incense. The flavors match the aromatics with deep full bore dark fruits, intermixed with black licorice, dark chocolate, espresso, and South Valley earth and minerals. The intensity continues on the back with sensations of distilled fruits, roasted berries and nuts, and crème de cassis, followed by a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. This wine goes on and on from beginning to end. 19.5/20 points.

2009 Balboa “Eidolon” Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75)
This wine is composed of 37% Syrah, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot from the Eidolon Estate Vineyard. It exhibits a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of black cherry, Damson plum and cassis, with scents of attar of rose, mulberry, black olive and black violets. On the palate, the dark fruit flavors are deep and full bore, layered with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast, and “Rocks” minerals. In the middle, the wine hits a “sweet spot” of squeezed berries, mocha and crème de cassis, followed by a long, sensuous, ripe sweet-dry tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

Rand Sealey gave these Balboa wines “exceptional” scores on a scale of 20: 2009 Balboa Estate Syrah – 18.5 points, 2009 Balboa Estate Malbec – 18.5 points, 2008 Balboa Reserve Red – 18.5 points, 2008 Balboa “Constrictor” Red Blend – 18.5+ points, 2011 Balboa Chardonnay – 18 points, 2009 Balboa Reserve Red Wine – 18.5 points, 2009 Balboa “Pandemonium” Syrah – 19 points.

“The 2008 Malbec Estate comes from their 10-year-old vineyard in Milton Freewater. It gives up an alluring bouquet of cedar, spice box, lavender, black cherry, and black currant. This sets the stage for a ripe, layered, succulent wine built for immediate gratification. Drink this juicy, uncomplicated effort over the next 4-5 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com

“The 2009 Syrah displays elements of smoked meat, underbrush, mineral, blueberry, and plum. Straightforward but very tasty, this friendly, well-balanced effort will deliver enjoyment for another 5-6 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com

“The 2007 Sayvlita is made up of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah. It, too, is a forward, pleasure-bent, succulent offering with a smooth texture, ripe flavors, good balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com

“The proprietary wines begin with the 2008 Pandemonium. It is a cuvee of 100% Syrah sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard. Spicy blueberries, balsam wood, lavender, and underbrush are followed by a velvety-textured, meaty Syrah with ripe, succulent flavors and a lengthy finish. Drink it over the next 6-8 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com

“The 2007 MITH is made up of 55% Syrah and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple/black in color, it has loads of up-front, spicy blue and black fruit, lots of spice, floral notes, and a lengthy, seamless finish. It will deliver enjoyment for another 6-7 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com

“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate sports aromas of spice box, incense, violets, cassis, and black currant. Forward on the palate and made in a friendly, fruit-forward style, this pleasure-bent wine is an outstanding value meant for drinking over the next 5-6 years.” –Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com