Liberace’s Bathtub

9.2

Nose: sweet peach, overripe cantaloupe, vanilla. Palate: pineapple custard, caramel. Moderate complexity, good intensity, good finish if a bit hot. Excellent pairing with butter, maple syrup, rosemary roasted chicken. — 2 years ago

Ron from VA

9.1

From the FRENCHMAN HILLS VINEYARD, this was a super value at 15$ via Costco. very much on point with WA STATE varietal characteristics, yet with a touch of restraint making for easy pairing. Blackberries (fresh and reduction), this is worth a second grab for the future BBQesk moments.  — 6 years ago

Georgina McDonald

9.3

Like biting into a freshly cut pineapple, straight from the fridge. A friendly, approachable Chardonnay with a light air of maturity introduced by a hint of oak. Otherwise, a young, bright, dry, Frenchman that leaves the faintest lick of green tannins inside your cheeks. The perfect plus one at all summer BBQs. — 7 years ago

Ron from VA

8.9

Very tactful build by the Frenchman...he took lighter extracted Syrah and added Mourvèdre, Tannat for acid/structure/tannin & CF for a modest 9mon in oak. Absolutely charming with a meaty angel hair pasta with vodka blush sauce. Tasty with Neapolitan Pizza too. Add a bottle for 20$ in the clearance bin in FR...this one was gifted to me tho. but he is very Pinot-like with the structure of a feminine Syrah/Chamboursin blend. Worth the 20$ if going that way ;) — 5 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.1

So god dame good with lamb. Black cherry, blueberry, black pepper, violets. Ripe but not crazy.  — 6 years ago

Centura Churchill

9.2

Very similar to Frenchman, but little more acidic. Prefer Frenchman — 7 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

So good, not too sweet & not too much mineralaty like the Frenchman juice.
— 7 years ago

Rick & Connie

9.1

ZINFINDEL - excellent. — 5 years ago

Wolfgang Brych

9.4

A great Frenchman. Explosion in the mouth, yet light in the exit. Super drinking pleasure. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Wow, has this wine evolved brilliantly since we had it in their Walla Walla Tasting Room.

The name Sixto, if I remember correctly, is a guitarist that Charles has great fondness.

The nose is ripe & vibrant. Loads of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, overripe pineapple, lime candy, mixture of lighter tropical fruits, salted caramel, butterscotch, graham cracker, crème, light butter notes, vanillin, honeysuckle, white spice, herbal quality, beautiful volcanic minerals, spring flowers, yellow lilies and fruit blossoms.

The body is rich, round & thick. It sings on the palate. Loads of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, overripe pineapple, lime candy, caramelized pear, mixture of lighter tropical fruits, stone fruits, salted caramel, crème, light butter notes, vanillin, honeysuckle, beeswax, honeycomb, marmalade, butterscotch as it warms & opens, some brown sugar/molasses, white spice with some palate heat, herbal quality, limestone/sandstone, soft but, a good presence of woodiness, beautiful volcanic minerals, spring flowers, yellow lilies, mixed greens and fruit blossoms. The acidity is round and near perfect. The long finish is; rich, ripe, lush, well balanced fruit & earth with layered textures and persists endlessly. Beautifully, complex Chardonnay that is drinking at its peak with some good years ahead @ under $30 when I purchased it.

Vineyard notes...Frenchman Hills was planted in 1998 and is about a 30-minute drive north of the Wahluke Slope, which is one of the warmest areas in the Columbia Valley. However, the Frenchman Hills Vineyard is a cooler site, partly because of its higher elevation at 1650 feet. It also does not easily frost. The limestone and broken basalt soils at the top of the vineyard were not affected by the Missoula Flood that ravaged much of Eastern Washington some 12,000 years ago. Because of the slightly cooler aspect, grapes hang longer without accumulating excessive sugar and still managing to retain beautiful acidity.

Photos of our visit to their downtown Walla Walla Tasting Room.
— 7 years ago