Spring Valley Katherine Cabernet Franc for lively sipping

Spring Valley Katherine Cabernet Franc for lively sipping

It was a bit poignant getting an announcement from this producer about ShariLee's (Corkrum - Derby) birthday yesterday, the matriarch of Spring Valley Vineyards in Walla Walla. Sharilee (pronounced Sher’ a lee) Corkrum Derby, is granddaughter of Spring Valley founder Uriah Corkrum. We paid tribute recently to her husband Dean Derby on his passing just last month. 

Family owned and operated Spring Valley Vineyards goes back three generations to ShariLee's father Frederick, and grandparents, Uriah and Katherine Corkrum. All the wines in the SVV portfolio sport a namesake label of one of the family members. As members of their Family Circle club we hold a mini vertical and horizontal collection of all these wines dating back up to a decade. 

So it was fitting I pulled a Spring Valley wine last night for casual sipping with biscuits, cheese and holiday treats by the fire, watching a movie. I opted for the Katherine Cabernet Franc, 2011, the oldest in our collection of this label.

I've written in these pages about our visits to Spring Valley Vineyards in Walla Walla, and meeting Dean Derby, writing a tribute to him on his passing recently. One of the highlights of our trip to Walla Walla was when we had the pleasure of meeting Dean Derby during our visit to the vineyards during our Walla Walla Wine Experience in 2019.

Spring Valley Vineyard Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley Katherine Corkrum 2011

 Spring Valley Vineyards Katherine Cabernet Franc 2011

This Cabernet Franc label is named in honor of founder Uriah Corkrum’s wife Katherine, a native of Wales who immigrated to Walla Walla Territory in 1897.

Katherine Williams arrived in the Walla Walla Valley from Hay-On-Wye, Wales to visit her brother David, who was married to Uriah’s sister Rado Corkrum. Katherine and Uriah were married in 1897, and had four sons, including Frederick Corkrum.

This label is from grapes planted in 1995. It was first released in 2002. 

This vintage release is a blend of 90% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot.

It was awarded 90 points by Wine Spectator and 89 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

Winemaker Notes - The 2011 vintage is very floral with predominant notes of violet. Rounding out the nose are aromas of dry herbs and hints of orange peel, white pepper and currant. On the palate, fresh red berries, cassis and strawberry. This wine has plenty of texture and is rich mid-palate, but has a soft and creamy finish.  

At a decade, this was garnet colored with a very slight brownish tinge, medium bodied, spicy black currant, raspberry and black cherry fruits with notes of white pepper, tobacco, spice and herbs with a moderate soft finish. 

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1659841

https://www.springvalleyvineyard.com/