Nose
Graceful Marion berry and strawberry intermingle with light spice and cedar on the nose.
Palate
Fresh blueberry, blackberry and hints of plum move towards cocoa on the palate. The structure is mouth filling with silky tannins holding it all together. The finish is where the cabernet sauvignon shows up, with blackberry, cassis and tobacco.
Growing Conditions
Vineyards: Spring Creek Vineyards (Yakima) and Ash Hollow (Walla Walla),
Bottling
07/01/2014
Winemaking
Merlot grapes from Spring Creek Vineyard were gently picked then hand sorted at the winery. After a 24 hour “cold soak” two separate lots were inoculated with two different yeast types to add complexity. Fermentation temperatures were kept cooler (below 85 degrees) to enhance the flavors present in the fruit. The skins were gently pressed at dryness.
Aging
20 months in small 228L oak barrels
