Cedar + Salmon Walla Walla Red Blend: Value 91–93pt Daily Drink
If your weeknight red needs a little more muscle without the price-tag pain, this Petit Verdot–led 2018 Cedar + Salmon Walla Walla Red Blend should be on your radar. Reverse Wine Snob rated it 91–93 points and locked in a limited 6-pack price at $14.16/bottle—serious value for Walla Walla fruit that spent 22 months in French oak.
“This is tasty.”
— Reverse Wine Snob
Style Snapshot: What to expect
Let’s decode the profile in plain English. The blend skews Bordeaux—with 46% Petit Verdot, 24% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah. Translation: structure, color, and dark-fruit depth, with Merlot supplying plushness and Cab lending backbone. It’s firmly on the dry side, full-bodied, and built around black fruits (think blackberry, black cherry, cassis) with baking spice accents from the oak.
Reverse Wine Snob notes a fresh, juicy nose and plenty of structure, with a finish that’s dry, tart, and just a touch grippy—exactly what you’d expect from a Petit Verdot-forward blend. The winery echoes that vibe with ripe blackberry, plum, and dark cherry, plus “smooth tannins and bright acidity” and a lingering finish (Cedar + Salmon via Reverse Wine Snob).
In short: modern Washington red with classic Bordeaux bones. Not a bruiser, but it won’t get pushed around by dinner.
Context: Walla Walla and Petit Verdot, explained
Walla Walla Valley has a rep for polished reds with concentration—sunny growing seasons, cool nights, and a patchwork of soils that coax intensity without losing freshness. While Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah usually hog the spotlight, Petit Verdot is the stealth enforcer. It’s famous for color, tannin, and savory lift; usually a supporting actor, rarely the lead. Putting it at 46% is a choice, and a good one if you want snap, structure, and an inky core at a weeknight price.
The 2018 season, per the winery notes, ran hot and dry, then cooled into fall—a classic setup for ripe flavors with balancing acidity. Aging for 22 months in French oak helps knit the pieces together and layer in spice without turning the wine into a lumberyard. Reverse Wine Snob’s take—fresh fruit, baking spice, and a confident, dry finish—tracks right along with that storyline.
What I like about this bottling is how it threads the needle: generous Walla Walla fruit, honest tannin, and a price that makes “weekday Bordeaux blend” more than a fantasy. Also, props for leaning into Petit Verdot rather than sanding it down. The grip is part of the charm—especially at the table.
Buy intent: Who will love this
If you gravitate toward Cabernet but want something a little brighter and more kinetic, this scratches the itch. If you’re a Merlot fan who likes plushness but not sweetness, you’ll vibe with the savory core. And if you collect Walla Walla but your wallet needs a timeout, this is a smart hold-you-over.
Best occasion and pairing direction
Best occasion: Casual dinners, winter movie nights, and those “I-need-a-red-with-actual-structure” Tuesdays.
Best pairing direction: Lean into protein and umami. Grilled or seared red meats, lamb sliders, mushroom-forward dishes, aged cheddar or young blue. For veggies, go roasted—think charred carrots, fennel, and peppers. The wine’s dry, full-bodied frame loves richness and a little char.
Why this blend works (and why the deal matters)
Reverse Wine Snob doesn’t hand out 91–93 lightly at this price tier, and their note about the wine holding up on day two suggests solid balance and sound winemaking. The juice comes off as confident rather than overdone—exactly what you want from Walla Walla when you’re paying under $15. As they put it, “It’s quite an attractive start,” and the finish stays focused without turning bitter (Reverse Wine Snob).
Deal specifics move fast, but for context: the current Insider Deal price clocks in at $14.16 per bottle in a 6-pack, with a flat $7.99 ship fee and an end time listed for 1/14/2026 at noon PT (see source for states and details). If you’re stocking up for the season, this is the kind of red you reach for again and again without needing a special occasion.
The takeaway
2018 Cedar + Salmon Walla Walla Red Blend is a dry, full-bodied, Petit Verdot–led Washington red that punches above its class—dark-fruited, structured, and table-friendly. Reverse Wine Snob’s 91–93 point range and the sub-$15 ask make it a no-brainer “house red” candidate. If you like your blends confident, savory, and oak-kissed but not overbearing, this is a strong buy.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/insider-deal-cedar-salmon-walla-walla-red-blend/
