Basel Cellars has been a destination in the Walla Walla Valley since 2002 after Greg Basel transformed the 97-acre Double River Ranch property into a winery with estate vineyards and a luxurious 13,800 square-foot estate mansion. He invited Steve and JoMarie Hansen of Vancouver, Wash. to come aboard as investors two years later. The couple eventually took full ownership of Basel Cellars in 2011. Today the Hansens enjoy welcoming guests to the property and sharing the Basel Cellars wines and experiences that first captured their interest.
Emphasizing Bordeaux style blends as well as single varietals, Basel Cellars takes a vineyard-first approach that translates into balanced and sharply focused wines.
You can taste their wines at one of their two tastings rooms in Walla Walla and Woodinville.
Basel Cellars 2010 Walla Walla Valley Estate Merriment, $40
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
This Bordeaux varietal red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Merlot (25%) is powerful and concentrated, with a tightly focused beam of dried cherry and red currant flavors. Complex and harmonious layers of floral violet, saddle leather, minerality, tobacco leaf and firm gripping tannins persist on the long finish.
Basel Cellars 2010 Walla Walla Valley Estate Merlot, $32
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Basel Cellars estate-grown Merlot is a stellar example of one of Washington’s finest noble grapes—exotic and plush, with herbal, tobacco, sanguine and anise flavors that shadow the dark cherry, plum, violet, black tea, dried herb, spice and smooth tannins.
Basel Cellars 2014 Sauvignon blanc/Semillon, $22
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
This white Bordeaux varietal blend consists of Sauvignon blanc (65%) and Semillon (35%), displaying creamy core flavors of kiwi, lemon curd, pear and floral honeysuckle with vibrant minerality and grassy notes that perpetuate the finish.
Website: www.baselcellars.com