Spring Valley Vineyard is a heritage‑driven, estate‑grown winery rooted in a family farming legacy that dates back to the mid‑1800s. The Corkrum and Derby families began farming this land generations ago, with the modern chapter starting in 1993, when Shari and Dean Derby planted the first vines. The estate released its first estate‑grown, estate‑bottled wines with the 1999 vintage.
Winemaking has remained deeply personal: Shari and Dean’s son Devin Corkrum Derby crafted the early wines until his passing in 2004, after which his assistant and close friend Serge Laville took over and continues to guide the estate’s style. Spring Valley is known for rich, character‑driven wines that reflect the site’s wheat‑farm origins, family history, and the rugged beauty of the Walla Walla Valley.
The 2021 Nina Lee Syrah reveals aromas of dry wheat and hints of violet. Bright cherry flavors are complemented by its strong structure and complex minerality, with pepper notes on the finish.
100% Syrah
94 Owen Bargreen The 2021 ‘Nina Lee’ is named after a famous Pacific Northwest dancer that performed in the roaring twenties. Aged for 30 months in French 500 Liter puncheons and stainless steel, this is inky in the glass, delivering white pepper dusted brisket, anise, and Hoisin sauce on the nose alongside shades of roasted duck. The palate is plush and soft with serious texture and refined tannins. A glorious core of black fruits greet you as this generous wine is drinking beautifully right now. Also notches above the 201 edition. Drink 2024-2034
93 Jeb Dunnuck Blackberries, peppery herbs, orange blossoms, and some spicy notes all emerge from the 2021 Syrah Nina Lee, a classy, medium-bodied, impeccably balanced Syrah from this estate that has tons of character. It's terrific today and will be terrific in a decade as well. The 2021 is all Syrah aged 30 months in 500-liter barrels and stainless steel.
92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Matured for 30 months in used oak and stainless steel, the 2021 Syrah Nina Lee bursts from the glass with pure scents of blackcurrant, mint chocolate, star anise and graphite. The full-bodied palate features mineral-driven flavors structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a long, latent finish.
92 Wine Spectator Ultra ripe and rich, this full-bodied wine overflows with baked blueberry, blackberry jam and black licorice notes. A broad, mouth-filling texture and rather soft tannins continue the plush, opulent effect. Drink now or hold.
