2021 Merlot
* Pick-up orders for this wine may require up to 10 business days for processing. Please reach out to the tasting room in advance to confirm order readiness.
Tasting Notes
This medium to full-bodied Merlot displays an abundance of dark fruit aromas. Layers of black cherry, dark cassis, sweet plum and smoked figs unite with more complex notes of dark espresso and salted toffee. On the palate, the wine shows finesse, balance, and roundness. Smooth, supple tannins frame the way for lingering secondary flavors of blackberry jam, vanilla bean, sweet cocoa, and toasted oak. Enjoy now through 2035 with optimal maturity peaking around 2030.
Awards
90 Points, Paul Gregutt
90 Points & Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast
89 Points Vinous
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2021 vintage will be recorded as one the warmest in Washington State history. With a mild win- ter and a warm spring, we saw bud break during the second week of April, about 1-2 weeks earlier than average. Then in late June, we experienced a heat wave for approximately 6 weeks. During this time, we saw over 35 days of 100+ degree temperatures, with some daily highs nearing 118°F. This period of extreme heat began when the grapes were in a cluster and berry size development stage, causing grapes to stress out weeks before we vintners would prefer. Smaller berry size led to an overall 30% reduction in crop sizes for us. Nevertheless, the flavors that these smaller berries produced were phenomenal! We also saw rapid ripening at a pace we have not seen since 2015, and this created a very early start to harvest. Overall, the 2021 vintage made outstanding wine. Our white wines showcase bright fruit aromas with brisk acidity. Our red wines display dark fruit elements with structure and finesse. The wines created from 2021 will be age worthy and enjoyable in their youth and will be wines that will make a lasting impression.
Winemaking Notes
Sourced from some of the best performing Merlot blocks on our estate vineyard, this wine is made with the goal of creating a world class Merlot bountiful in flavor with lush tannins and well-integrated oak. Harvested towards the beginning of October at optimal maturity, the grapes were destemmed and sorted using an optical sorter. Cold soaked for 48 hours to help extract color without the interfer- ence of fermentation, the grapes were then warmed up and inoculated with several strains of yeast. Our extraction protocol incorporates an aggressive approach early on to achieve desired flavor, aroma and color before alcohol levels start to increase. Once alcohol is present around 9-10%, we take a much gentler approach to prevent over extraction and to maintain a lush, round mouthfeel. Fermented dry on the skins for 16 days, the wine was then sent to a variety of French oak barrels and inoculated for malolactic fermentation. After malolactic fermentation was complete, over the next three months the wines lees were stirred twice a month and the barrels topped to ensure healthy aging. Stirring of the wines lees naturally softens the wine while helping to build structure and round- ness while enhancing the mouthfeel. Overall, the wine was aged in 100% French oak for 17 months with 36% being new French oak, 34% 2-3-year-old French oak, and 30% neutral French oak.
Food Pairing
Braised Beef Ragu with Pappardelle Pasta
Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Blueberry Sauce
Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Blue Cheese Butter
Gouda or Gorgonzola
- Varietal Composition: Merlot
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 100% French oak for 16 months with 42% being new French oak, 28% 2–3-year-old French oak, and 30% neutral French oak.
- Cases Produced: 3,500
- Alcohol: 14.4%
- pH: 3.85
- Acidity: 5.8
- Ageability: Now through 2030