Washington Merlot shines in a vintage like 2008; the cooler, more moderate temperatures favor the development of sweet black cherry, plum and its signature chocolate/coffee note. I’m struck by the dimension and suppleness of the mouthfeel. 

This is what St. Emilion and Pomerol aspire to: rich black fruit, a knockout entry, plump mid-palate and long elegant finish. Along the way, mineral, spice, wet stones, licorice and dried herbs mingle to create a complex, and satisfying, flavor range.   Fleshy, ripe fruits linger but the wine still dances with vitality; the higher percentage of Merlot, mostly from our Red Mountain vineyards, had plenty to do with the stunning impression the 2008 vintage.

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

Blending Detail:

• 68% Merlot
• 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 7% Petit Verdot

Barrel Program:

• 16 months in 100% French oak barrels aging, 65% new
• 35% one fill (one year neutralized oak)

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

• 45% Red Mountain
• 28% Horse Heaven Hills
• 27% Yakima Valley

Acclaim

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…95 points

…. glass-coating opaque purple color, … an expressive nose of pain grille, graphite, Asian spices, a hint of balsamic, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate it admirably combines elegance with power. It has superb concentration, incipient complexity, layers of fruit, and a lengthy finish. Give it 6-8 years of additional cellaring and then drink it through its 25th birthday.”
From Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “93 points. … Dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate and graphite on the nose and palate. Densely packed but showing superb energy and lift to the flavors of dark berries, cocoa powder and violet. There's nothing rustic about these classy wines. Finishes with terrific clarity and lively minerality.”