Echolands Riviere-Gallets Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021 Champagne Extra Brut Although produced in the same

Although produced in the same traditional manner as its famous older brother

pencil lead

Medium-bodied and fruit-forward with a velvety texture and ripe tannins

It is balanced but just lacks the depth and substance that I was hoping it would gain during its barrel maturation

There’s an explosion of juicy red fruit on the palate

Echolands Riviere-Gallets Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021 Champagne Extra Brut Although produced in the sameRivire Galets Vineyard is in the rocky area of Walla Walla Valley and its head pruned vines are low to ground, soaking up all the heat those river smoothed pudding stones radiate in the summer sun. Some producers leave their Grenache grapes to ripen to a surprising degree in that sauna like environment, but we pick far sooner than the rest. We are trying to preserve acidity, and keep the wine's flavors fresh and bright.