Cedar + Salmon’s 2018 Walla Walla Red Blend: Value, Verve, and a Petit Verdot Power Play
If you like your nightly glass bold but balanced—and you also like paying less than fifteen bucks for it—Reverse Wine Snob just dropped an insider deal that’s tough to ignore. The 2018 Cedar + Salmon Walla Walla Red Blend is clocking 91–93 points, aged 22 months in French oak, and selling for $14.16 per bottle in a six-pack. The catch? It’s limited and ends Wednesday 1/14/2026 at noon (PT). Flat $7.99 shipping keeps it friendly.
Style Snapshot: Walla Walla muscle, everyday-friendly price
This is a dry, full-bodied red blend from Washington’s Walla Walla Valley—an appellation known for producing structured, ripe reds with polish. The blend leans surprisingly (and delightfully) on Petit Verdot at 46%, supported by Merlot (24%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Cabernet Franc (6%), and Petite Sirah (4%). Expect ripe black fruits (blackberry, black cherry, plum), firm but smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a lingering finish. The winery’s notes also call out black currants, cassis and allspice; Reverse Wine Snob’s review vibes with that dark-fruited, spice-kissed profile and adds a nod to freshness.
As Jon at Reverse Wine Snob puts it: “This is tasty.” (Reverse Wine Snob) He also riffs: “Smooth and tart, the wine tastes just like the nose” (Reverse Wine Snob), underscoring the clean line from aroma to palate—always a good sign in a value bottle.
“ (Reverse Wine Snob) He also riffs:
Context: Why Petit Verdot takes center stage here
Typically, Walla Walla’s headline acts are Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with Merlot playing rhythm guitar. Petit Verdot usually shows up as the intense cameo—adding color, tannin, and floral-dark spice. Here it’s leading the band at 46%, which explains the wine’s firm structure and deep fruit core. That’s not a common choice for everyday drinkers, but it can be a very savvy one when the winemaker manages ripeness (2018 saw a hot, dry summer balanced by cool fall) and tames the tannin with time in French oak. Twenty-two months will knit things together without sanding off personality.
Reverse Wine Snob’s bulk-buy rating and 91–93 score signal this is one of those “stock up and don’t overthink it” reds. If you know Washington, you know bright acidity and savory edges can keep richer fruit feeling athletic—not heavy. This blend reads exactly that way: taut, dark-fruited, structured, yet polished enough to play nice with weeknight food.
Best occasion
Weeknight dinner hero, game night crowd-pleaser, or a “bring the good stuff without flexing” bottle for casual gatherings. It’s also a smart cellar filler if you like reliable red blends that don’t lean sweet.
Best pairing direction
Think umami and char. Grilled or roasted meats, mushroom-heavy dishes, aged or blue cheeses, and anything with a peppery crust. The bright acidity will cut through richness; the tannins will hug proteins in all the right places.
The buy: timing, shipping, and value math
The deal is six bottles for $84.85 (that’s $14.16 each) with flat $7.99 shipping, available to a wide list of states via UPS Ground. Reverse Wine Snob notes you can ship to a UPS Access Point—very clutch if porch signatures aren’t your vibe.
What I like here is the combination of region, structure, and price. Walla Walla pedigree with a Petit Verdot-forward blend at $14 and change is unusual—in a good way. The tasting cues are exactly what you want from an everyday red that still feels thoughtful: ripe dark fruit, bright acidity, smooth tannins, a hint of baking spice, and a dry, juicy finish.
If you’ve ever felt that value reds get too jammy or soft, this one’s the opposite—built, but not broody. And at 91–93 points in Reverse Wine Snob’s scale, it’s comfortably in the “buy more than one pack” zone if you have the space.
Bottom line
Washington red blends are often about balance and backbone. This Cedar + Salmon delivers both, with a fresh line from nose to palate and enough structure to make Tuesday night feel like Friday without the price tag. If Petit Verdot is usually the shy friend in your blends, this bottling lets it take the stage—and the spotlight’s flattering.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/insider-deal-cedar-salmon-walla-walla-red-blend/
