2014 Merlot

Walla Walla Valley

Winemaker Notes

Pronounced aromas of juicy, dark fruit and cocoa blend with dusty gravel and pencil shavings in this energetic vintage. The palate features opulent notes of black plum, blueberries, and spice. Polished tannins and rich fruit make for a velvety smooth mouthfeel and the finish is all about structure and power.

                                                                                                            - Jean-François Pellet, Winemaker

The 2014 Vintage

The summer of 2014 marked the warmest summer on record in the Walla Walla VAlley. Spring was cool and dry, with bud break occurring right on time in mid-April. Once it started warming up, it didn't stop. It was actually so warm during the month of July that the vineyard shut down and pushed our picking date by 2 weeks, putting us back in line with our average harvest date in mid-September. Despite the amount of heat units we received, meticulous work in the vineyard and precise picking dates enabled us to remain consistent with our elegant and balanced style.

1999 marked the first production of our estate Merlot. With each vintage since, we are continually awed by the delicate intricacies our estate vineyards consistently bestow upon this beautiful Bordeaux varietal.