11 Dams… sounds about right. We threw in some other expletives, but between those of us tasting this, “damn that’s good” was uttered at least that many times.Talk about a wine that overdelivers!

Not surprisingly it brings a circus car of scores for the ride. 93 points Wine and Spirits Magazine. Another 93 points and Wine of the Week by Paul Gregutt (principal reviewer for Northwest wines for Wine Enthusiast magazine from 1998 to 2021). 92 points from The Wine Panel and throw in another 90 from Wine Enthusiast for good measure.

And here’s the icing - under $30!

Rocky Pond is a small husband and wife owned producer in Washington’s Columbia Valley. Over time they acquired several incredible vineyards - including their flagship, Double D Vineyard. They brought Elizabeth Keyser on as winemaker. She spent years as assistant winemaker at HALL Family Wines, honing her craft on their portfolio of HALL, Walt, and Baca. They only make a few hundred cases of each wine, and everyone gets the star treatment.

This is a bit of an unusual blend, but it proves massively enjoyable and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Merlot takes center stage with 54% of the balance. Cabernet Sauvignon clocks in at 29% with Malbec pulling a healthy 17%. Raised in 50% new French oak offers up a nice layer of toasty sweetness. It’s ripe and round, not shy to put the fruit front and center. A mixed bag of crushed berries, dripping with chocolate, dusted with baking spices and toasted vanilla beans. Drinks like something 2-3x what you’re paying, and will be one of those “wish I had more” wines when the last bottle turns upside down…

Former Wine Enthusiast editor/reviewer Paul Gregutt calls it “one of a pair of outstanding entry-level blend…a fruit showcase loaded with black cherries and cassis, backed with the AVA’s underlying minerality.”

Do not miss out on this one!

93 Points – Wine & Spirits

“Malbec influences this blend with merlot and cabernet sauvignon, lending violet and chocolate-mint scents to notes of pine tips and red cherries. The flavors are silky, with a richness that belies all the lean aromatics, lasting on a chocolate-espresso-bean finish.”

93 Points – Paul Gregutt

“An unusual blend, this deftly amps up the power of the principal Merlot component while keeping the strength and detail of the other two grapes in focus. It’s a fruit showcase loaded with black cherries and cassis, backed with the AVA’s underlying minerality. The generous use of new French oak (50%) is kept in check while framing the wine perfectly. This wine was still drinking very well on the 4th day after first being opened.”

92 Points – The Wine Panel

“The 11 Dams release from Rocky Pond shows the direction this relatively new winery from outside of Chelan is heading - big, rich, polished wines with structure. With an infusion of top notch wine professionals on the team and the maturation of their own estate vines in the Double D Vineyard near Orondo, it’s apparent this project is headed to make headlines. This Right Bank Bordeaux style comprised of 54% Merlot, 29% Cabernet, and 17% Malbec, is rich, creamy, and balanced, with classic dark fruit notes with a bit of currant, vanilla, and dusty, fine tannins.”