Nose
Deep cedar and hints of extremely ripe lambert cherry lead to a core
of dusted blackberry on the nose.
Palate
Layers of blackberry, blueberry and marion berry float over
a backdrop of leathery cassis in the mouth. The finish is a hint of tobacco, a layer of black currant and a cup full of espresso. This merlot will age gracefully through 2017.
Growing Conditions
2011 started with much cooler temperatures than normal and
up until late summer. A late warm spell saved the season and brought the
much needed ripening. We chose extended hang time which allowed for incredible flavor development without any unripe characteristics. Our 2011
wines show very fine natural acidities and perfectly balanced fruit and spice
characters with plenty of Washington terroir.
The vineyard for this Merlot is carefully selected for the attributes
and characteristics that increase complexity and flavor. Planted in 2000, the
southward facing Stone Tree is a premium grape growing site on the Wahluke
slope and lies just west of the “saddle” of the Saddle Mountains, Stone Tree is
the highest elevation vineyard, with the most relief (elevation change over distance) in the Wahluke Slope. The soil is sandy loam with a little calcium carbonate. Overall this vineyard is impeccably managed and one of our finest
vineyards that we have been working with since 2004. Expect the Merlot to
be big in structure– in fact, it’s more Cab-like than Merlot.
Harvest
We harvested reds as much as 2-3 weeks earlier
than average.
Bottling
July 2, 2013
Aging
18 Months in 35% New Oak; 68% French, 22% Hungarian and 10% American
