We visited Barons Winery during Fall Release festivities in Walla Walla Valley of Washington. As with many other wineries there, it was perfect timing for wineswinging because we were lucky to meet with Jim Keller - managing partner of the winery.

We could tell right away how passionate Jim was about their wines and especially Cabs. We'll let you know what his favorite is after we share the wine story of the Barons Winery Jim shared with us.

Around 20 years ago five friends with a passion for wine came together and decided to open the winery. At that time, they were already very successful businessmen in the lumber industry, and that let them select Barons V winery name.

Their first vintage was released in 2001, and, as Jim said, ever since they have been dedicated to producing premium wines from the select vineyards in Washington state.
To celebrate the Fall Release, Barons Winery offered seven wines for tastings.

We started with 2016 Sauvignon Blanc blended with 16% Semillon and aged in neutral oak. It displayed notes of nectarine and minerality balanced by refreshing acidity.
The second wine was 2016 Chardonnay that was aged in 30% new oak. It is rich and full-bodied with flavors of apple, grass, minerality, and honeycomb.

Our first red was 2013 Petit Baron blend of 53% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It had floral aromas with cassis and ripe blackberries. Full body and jammy flavors of black currant, blackberry, and red flowers make it for a very impressive start with red wines.

Next was 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon made with Red Mountain fruit and aged in 100% new French oak for 23 months. This is a rich, full-bodied Cab Sav with blackberry, jammy raspberry, tobacco, vanilla and smoke, and lasting finish.

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon made in style of left bank Bordeaux with Cab Sav leading the way with 78%, followed by 10% Merlot and 6% of each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It starts with aromas of cassis, cured meats, and smoke and continues with flavors of plum, raspberry, and blackberry balanced by sensible tannins and refreshing acidity.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was made with 90% Cab Sav and 10% Merlot and aged in 100% new French oak for 23 months. It displayed aromas of cassis, blackberry, violets, and tobacco. On the palate, it's complex combination ripe fruit of blackberry, black currant, dark cherry, and smoke. This was our favorite wine of the tasting.

We finished out wineswinging exploration of Barons winery with Jim's favorite - 2008 Barons V Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak. Barons greeted us with cassis, dark cherry, and coconut. On the plate, it's chewy and rich with jammy blackberry, violet candy, well-incorporated tannins balanced by the sensible acidity and long finish. If you like rich and luscious Cabs this one is for you.

Overall, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are a good option if you want fuller-bodied white wines with sensible oak influence. The red wines line up is a formidable representation of what Walla Walla is capable of.

If you're planning the wineswinging trip to Walla Walla, Barons Winery is an excellent tasting opportunity with quality wines and approachable prices.
The tasting room is modern top notch and located in downtown Walla Walla.