Washington

VINTAGE

The 2015 vintage was one of the warmest growing seasons on record in Washington State.

Warm temperatures continued through the spring and summer, moderating slightly into fall and extending an early harvest.

Overall, 2015 saw optimal ripening across varieties and yielded outstanding wines throughout the region.

VINEYARDS

This Merlot is sourced predominately from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Eastern Washington, including our Indian Wells Vineyard.

Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River.

The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor.

WINEMAKING

Grapes were destemmed and sorted using cutting edge technology to gently handle fruit and remove any green material, allowing for more pure, concentrated fruit expression.

Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.

Aged in 51% new American and French oak barrels.

TECHNICAL DATA

Alcohol              TA                     pH  

14.5%       0.52 g/100 ml            3.95 

AD HOC TASTING

Red wine, Ruby coloured, medium intensity, clear, no defects.

Clean and medium+ intensity.

Malolactic fermentation noticeable and oak (vanilla, smoke, spices sucha as black pepper, bacon). Also honey, caramel.

It is a toasty wine (american toasted barrels).

Soft, silky, easy to drink, well done wine in the palate. Very good varietal identification, and tertiary notes (pepper, chocolate, epice). Some dark fruit (blackberry, cranberries), but it is not too much fruity. Soft and creamy tannins, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol very good integrated, not burning. Medium body some acquous.

Medium finish with silky texture, good volume.

It a good wine, easy to drink, medium+ quality and you can drink and enjoy now, a little potential for ageing further more (2 years), because it is developed in tannins and alcohol in mouth, and the tertiary flavours are perfect to drink now. Medium complexity in flavours, with a little notes of the MLF (cream, yogurt).

MATCHING

Spaghetti with olive oil (AOVE) and Thon.