Palate
A blend focused on elegance and finesse. Herbal nose with hints of cassis and cherries. Lightly spiced, the texture is rich with velvety tannins and an ultra-long finish.
Growing Conditions
Spring Valley Vineyard lies 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla, amid the picturesque wheat fields of southeastern Washington and the Blue Mountains in the distance. The initial block of Merlot was planted in 1993 on a southern hillside facing southwest. The vines follow the north-south slope of the hills in vertical rows, an orientation that when combined with the declination of the slope, allows the vines to take optimal advantage of air drainage, sunshine, and the reflective nature of the surrounding wheat fields. Great care is taken when caring for the vineyard. Every grape is tended by hand, including crop thinning, leaf pulling, and harvesting, as well as hand-burying individual canes to protect them during the winter in southeastern Washington.
Harvest
It was definitely a warm vintage for Spring Valley Vineyards. The conditions during harvest were excellent with warm days and relatively cool nights. Picking started during the 2nd week of September, eliminating the need for a late harvest. Despite the warmer temperatures of 2014, we have not encountered any big tannins. The wines are rich but soft and elegant and naturally terroir driven.
Winemaking
Spring Valley Vineyard fruit is hand-picked, hand-sorted and gently de-stemmed by gravity. During the 10-20 day fermentation, each tank is tasted daily until Spring Valley Vineyard Winemaker Serge Laville decides it is time to press using wooden cage basket presses. In keeping with Spring Valley tradition, originally instituted by founding winemaker Devin Corkrum Derby, hand punch-downs occur twice a day until the end of alcoholic fermentation. The wine is transferred by pump into barrels for secondary fermentation and gets racked several times for clarity. Finally, the different lots are blended to create our six distinctive labels.
Aging
19 months in 100% French oak, 50% new.
