2018 Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend, Wahluke Slope, WA
94 Points, Gold Medal, Seattle Wine Awards
Tasting Notes
Medium ruby in color, the 2018 Ruah has aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice, mocha, and a violet lift. The wine opens to darker notes of currant, dark cherry, wild herbs, tobacco leaf, and menthol. This bright, mid-bodied, and harmonious blend showcases energy and balance, with intense red and black fruit flavors and a creamy, rounded mid-palate. It’s a perfect combination of sweet and savory and finishes long with just a touch of wood spice.
Winemaking Notes
The 2018 growing season started slightly cool in the spring, but quickly gave way to warmer temperatures. Throughout summer, the days were warm and sunny, with little rainfall and above-average heat, providing ideal growing conditions. A slight cooling in September and October gave the grapes some extra time to develop more nuanced characteristics. This blend is composed of several lots that were fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and open-top bins, and was aged for 30 months in neutral oak and stainless steel.
Vineyard Notes
The Wahluke Slope AVA is located in south-central Washington and is considered one of the warmer regions in the state. Our 480-acre Desert Wind Vineyard is south-facing, with a gradual two percent slope ranging from 800 to 1,000 feet in elevation. The deep, rocky soil allows for excellent drainage, stressing the vines and allowing focused energy on fruit production. The resulting wines are highly pigmented and have excellent tannin structure.
Desert Wind is an immersive wine, food, and entertainment destination in the heart of Washington Wine Country, dedicated to producing world-class wines that celebrate our estate vineyards in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Our southwest-inspired estate is perched on a bluff overlooking the Yakima River in Prosser, Washington, and boasts a large tasting room, overnight accommodations, light kitchen fare, spa services, and ample private event space. Desert Wind’s legacy and acclaimed wines are rooted in family and our sun-soaked Wahluke Slope AVA estate vineyard. Our philosophy on winemaking is simple: Start with grapes that show terrific potential and craft smooth, friendly, world-class wines you can drink every day. We’ve grown a lot since our first vines were planted in 1993, but one thing remains the same - our commitment to creating experiences that bring people together.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
@rjquillin thank you for digging that one up - and re-answering my question. I may need to check my wine refrigerator to see if I bought any from the last offering - that I also may have forgotten!
@Leatherchair No worries.
Had to check my history as well. First got this from GO a couple months before the CM offer, where I added a case and the UPS folks scored three bottles from it.
@rjquillin way to go on taking care of your UPS drivers. Good haul for them. Speaking of history, I didn’t recognize that label, and confirmed I never purchased from last time, so corrected that this time. Cheers
@Leatherchair Not actually a driver, as I’m never home to accept a delivery. My default ship-to is a UPS franchise store, where they don’t charge me that extra monthly fee others complain about, but get bottles instead.
@Leatherchair@rjquillin
Good on you for taking care of them. But assuming you’re giving them $5 or $10 bottles of wine you’re still paying them for delivering your wine, probably more than the $20 a year or $5 per shipment. Fed-ex is free for me.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend - $20 = 19.99%
Enjoyed this from the first go around and I’m in again for a case. Something different for the rotation (Love the S.O.B. for this reason as well)! These blends bring something to the daily table, and both improve on the next day. I enjoy these more than the recent Pedroncelli/Cheer blend offers.
Living in the Northwest, this was a wine I discovered as a great “default red” in the early 2000s. Yikes that’s 20 years ago. I remember a 2004 vintage in particular that got rave reviews which were well-deserved. These could be had for usually $10-14/btl, back then, which still makes this a very attractive price.
The blend varies each year and is always kind-of a “kitchen sink” blend, unlike more traditional Rhone-style blends which work very well in this region. But are usually priced much higher than this. Wahluke Slope is a good local AVA. A great area to visit for a wine tourist trip also. Disclaimer is: I haven’t tasted this in recent years and definitely not this vintage.
Just thought about applying the $20 coupon from the latest Meh wine sale (came in my email today) and lowering the price/bottle of this offering to $5! I’m trying to resist, as my wine consumption for the past 3 months has been zero after losing my senses of taste and smell, and my storage space is full, but I’m hopeful that the taste/smell might return in the coming months.
Just grabbed a case myself. No brainer. I only have 4 or 5 left from the last offer and this juice is fantastic at this price even double this price. Dang should have got 2
We had a piece commissioned for our choral group titled Ruah and last offer I surprised our director with three bottles for Christmas. Of course I had a bottle first to make sure it was worthy of gifting - no worries at all.
had this the last time and it was wonderful. this time around, with the meh coupon, $5/btl is a no-brainer. thanks you guys for a fantastic deal / fantastic wine
I was supposed to get back from Texas Tuesday afternoon. One flight cancellation (due to the forecast for extreme thunderstorms), rebooking in separate flights, we finally made it back home. And that’s why I didn’t have a lab report. Did manage to see the eclipse right during a really fortunate break in the partly cloudy sky.
My cases are scheduled to be delivered one today and one tomorrow. Our local weather will be in the upper 80’s and I assume in a truck it will be much higher. Should I be worried about cooked wine?
2018 Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend, Wahluke Slope, WA
94 Points, Gold Medal, Seattle Wine Awards
Tasting Notes
Winemaking Notes
Vineyard Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $300/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 29 - Tuesday, Apr 30
2018 Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend
6 bottles for $49.99 $8.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $79.99 $6.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Previous offer:
11/27/23
@ilCesare
and $10 bucks/case less this time around as well
@ilCesare @rjquillin Except the prior offer was for “Desert Wine” !
Enjoyed it as a daily, rotating in for a nice change of pace!
Question for vintner. Is the wine aged in American oak or French oak?
@Leatherchair from the previous offer, where your question was answered…
@rjquillin thank you for digging that one up - and re-answering my question. I may need to check my wine refrigerator to see if I bought any from the last offering - that I also may have forgotten!
@Leatherchair No worries.
Had to check my history as well. First got this from GO a couple months before the CM offer, where I added a case and the UPS folks scored three bottles from it.
@rjquillin way to go on taking care of your UPS drivers. Good haul for them. Speaking of history, I didn’t recognize that label, and confirmed I never purchased from last time, so corrected that this time. Cheers
@Leatherchair Not actually a driver, as I’m never home to accept a delivery. My default ship-to is a UPS franchise store, where they don’t charge me that extra monthly fee others complain about, but get bottles instead.
@Leatherchair @rjquillin
Good on you for taking care of them. But assuming you’re giving them $5 or $10 bottles of wine you’re still paying them for delivering your wine, probably more than the $20 a year or $5 per shipment. Fed-ex is free for me.
@Leatherchair @ScottW58
Oh, absolutely, but it sure feels better with the direct connection.
Also totally agree, FedEx kicks ass over brown for CS.
In for 12. This is a good red blend. Enjoyed the November 2023 offering; excited to get more, especially at this price. Powerful-lying-curve.
@winedan Excited for you to get more as well!
/giphy unarmed-clairvoyant-phoenix
/giphy intangible-carnivorous-mulberry
Super good. A little spice. Medium body. Great Tuesday Wednesday Thursday wine. Likely even better with food.
Not wildly rich. Not wildly complex. Balanced. Extremely enjoyable. I grabbed a case. Insanely great considering the price.
Just walked through the door of my house 18 minutes ago after 12 hours of traveling/fights.
It’s midnight where I am now. Forgive the quick review.
Smooth, dark fruit, cherry, spice, tart finish, wee bit of smoke on the nose.
Will be my go to table wine. I bought a case. Currently enjoying it now with a drive-thru del Taco crunchy Taco and it works pleasantly.
Eating some queso nachos now with this wine. Tobacco leathery wood ish vibes happening. Fun and nice.
@connorbush
Taylor from Desert Wind here - thanks for the kind words! We also love it as a weekday pizza wine
@DesertWindWine Welcome Taylor
badge so others can recognize you.
working on getting you a
What is your function there?
@rjquillin Thanks! I’m the sales/marketing director
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Desert Wind Ruah Red Blend - $20 = 19.99%
So cheap I can’t resist.
/giphy psychedelic-loyal-company
Same here.
/giphy toothless-nutritious-mimosa
Enjoyed this from the first go around and I’m in again for a case. Something different for the rotation (Love the S.O.B. for this reason as well)! These blends bring something to the daily table, and both improve on the next day. I enjoy these more than the recent Pedroncelli/Cheer blend offers.
@irenegade Glad you have enjoyed it!
/giphy judgmental-terrestrial-news
Still have a lot from the last offering but definitely enjoyed it.
At $7 a bottle /case this and the solid comments say buy and drink now !
@outdoorslife
/giphy unfair-heartsick-cardinal
Living in the Northwest, this was a wine I discovered as a great “default red” in the early 2000s. Yikes that’s 20 years ago. I remember a 2004 vintage in particular that got rave reviews which were well-deserved. These could be had for usually $10-14/btl, back then, which still makes this a very attractive price.
The blend varies each year and is always kind-of a “kitchen sink” blend, unlike more traditional Rhone-style blends which work very well in this region. But are usually priced much higher than this. Wahluke Slope is a good local AVA. A great area to visit for a wine tourist trip also. Disclaimer is: I haven’t tasted this in recent years and definitely not this vintage.
Just thought about applying the $20 coupon from the latest Meh wine sale (came in my email today) and lowering the price/bottle of this offering to $5! I’m trying to resist, as my wine consumption for the past 3 months has been zero after losing my senses of taste and smell, and my storage space is full, but I’m hopeful that the taste/smell might return in the coming months.
@Mark_L Thanks for hanging in there with CM while you are not consuming.
@Mark_L Unlike you I couldn’t resist.
@toddlamp I haven’t totally written it off (yet).
@toddlamp I caved. If nothing else, I can pass it on to my kids.
/giphy floral-tiny-conjurer
/giphy green-lanky-smell
nominated-teal-coil I caved even tho I have no room 18 bottles already on the way
$6.67/bottle AND good reviews! Holy guacamole. I’d buy 2 cases if I weren’t on a SIWBM (which I’m failing miserably at).
/giphy glib-muffled-group
Just grabbed a case myself. No brainer. I only have 4 or 5 left from the last offer and this juice is fantastic at this price even double this price. Dang should have got 2
@smoothie72 It’s an easy one to grab for any occasion! Glad you’ve enjoyed!
/giphy deadly-benevolent-discovery
I’m a sucker for good, cheap wine. In for two cases!
/giphy offensive-frantic-mime
We had a piece commissioned for our choral group titled Ruah and last offer I surprised our director with three bottles for Christmas. Of course I had a bottle first to make sure it was worthy of gifting - no worries at all.
Got another case.
@woopdedoo The gift that keeps on giving!
@DesertWindWine In addition to my case, I decided to send a six pack to the person who composed the piece.
Hard to resist given the price and all the rave reviews in here!
/giphy unmoving-dazzling-office
@neuroticsilence Michael Scott approved, it’s a fact
Oh well, there goes my wine budget for the month. 3 orders in three weeks. In for a case.
/giphy meticulous-wimpy-beef
had this the last time and it was wonderful. this time around, with the meh coupon, $5/btl is a no-brainer. thanks you guys for a fantastic deal / fantastic wine
/giphy warped-nuclear-truck
I was supposed to get back from Texas Tuesday afternoon. One flight cancellation (due to the forecast for extreme thunderstorms), rebooking in separate flights, we finally made it back home. And that’s why I didn’t have a lab report. Did manage to see the eclipse right during a really fortunate break in the partly cloudy sky.
/giphy harsh-open-amusement
My cases are scheduled to be delivered one today and one tomorrow. Our local weather will be in the upper 80’s and I assume in a truck it will be much higher. Should I be worried about cooked wine?