What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD)

The Saviah Cellars 2005 Malbec is one of my new favorite wines from the Walla Walla Valley. From the first sip to the last glass, I was completely smitten, if not carried away, with this delicious wine. In fact, after learning it was crafted by Richard Funk, Saviah's founder and winemaker, it wasn't long before I started channeling George Clinton of Parliament:

"Ow, we want the funk
Give up the funk
Ow, we need the funk
We gotta have that funk"

Okay, so my wife didn't think it was very funny either when I belted this chorus out at the dinner table. But my daughters sure laughed and at the end of the day that's all that matters. Regardless, the Funk that is Saviah wine is something I want more of.

Saviah Cellars, located south of downtown Walla Walla, is family owned and operated by Rich and his wife, Anita, who established the winery in 2000. Saviah is the namesake of Anita's great grandmother. I learned at their web site that Rich's first passion was beer, but after moving to Walla Walla in 1991, he became interested in wine while working with local wineries as an environment health specialist for the county.

Like many of his peers in the Walla Walla area, Rich's background in chemistry and microbiology has served him well as a self-taught winemaker. And I am so glad Rich discovered winemaking rather than pursue beer, for he clearly has a gift with grapes, as evidenced by this and other Saviah wines I have enjoyed over the years. Rich sources most of Saviah's fruit from the Walla Walla Valley, but also from vineyards on Red Mountain and elsewhere in the Columbia Valley.

The fruit going into the Saviah 2005 Malbec were from the McClellan Vineyard, which is located across the border in Oregon. This vineyard is owned by Leonard Brown, who with Rich founded Watermill Winery in 2005 (need to add this winery to the trip list as well).

The Saviah 2005 Malbec (13.9%) paired perfectly with the beef tenderloin steaks we roasted a perfect medium rare in the oven. Alongside these amazing filets, Kari served a wonderful zucchini gratin and a steamed rice, French onion soup, beef consomme concoction, both of which were absolutely incredible. It was a hearty fall meal that was that much better because of the Saviah 2005 Malbec from Walla Walla Valley.

On the eyes, this 100% malbec was a deep, dark reddish purple in the glass. On the nose, there was black fruit and hints of dusty earth and curry spice rising up from the glass. On the palate, from start to finish, it was elegant and modest in its presentation, offering wonderful fruit with nice acidity. The silky tannins gave it texture, providing a wonderful, long finish with each sip.

My only regret with this wine was not opening the day it was given to me several months ago by my father-in-law, Pappa Rosso. If it had been opened earlier, then I might have had a chance of getting one or more of the 56 cases produced. Unfortunately, the 2005 is all sold out. But, the 2006 vintage appears to be drinking well, hopefully in a manner that is similar to its younger sibling.

Useful Links About This Wine
Tasting Notes on the Saviah 2005 Malbec
Washington Wine Report's comparative tasting of WA malbecs
Wine Peeps' tour of Saviah vineyards with Rich Funk