TASTING NOTES The deep ruby color of our 2018 Columbia alludes to enticing aromas of rich ripe fruits and a subtle hint of vanilla and cocoa. 82 % of the grapes in this Merlot were sourced from the renowned, Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The intense sunlight and south facing exposure of this region produced fruit with complex, dark berry character. In the cellar, our oak regimen resulted in pronounced notes of toasted vanilla and baking spice. Balanced acidity complements the textured mouthfeel, leading into a bold, lingering finish. VINTAGE NOTES The 2018 vintage started out very nice, we never saw heat spikes until July which meant the fruit set nicely on the vines. We then saw steady days of sunshine and mild temperatures throughout the season that allowed the grapes ample time on the vines.

COLUMBIA VALLEY AVA As Washington’s largest appellation, the Columbia Valley comprises nearly all of the state's total vinifera grape plantings. Its volcanic, well-drained, sandy loam soils stress the vines to yield focused flavors in our grapes. In most parts of the Columbia Valley, there is an average of 16 hours of sunlight and only eight inches of rainfall. This combination lends itself to the creation of unique wines with intense color, flavor and structure with a crisp acidity, delighting the palate and providing a vibrant complement to any food pairing.

WINEMAKING After harvest, the grapes for our 2018 Merlot were FINISHED WINE destemmed and transferred to stainless-steel APPELLATION: Columbia Valley fermenters for up to 11 days at a maximum temperature CONTENT: 83% Merlot, 9% , 8% of 90°F. Throughout fermentation, we performed pump overs and one rack and returns for optimal extraction of ALCOHOL LEVEL: 14.1% color and flavor. A touch of oak aging provided distinct PH: 3.75 RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.38 g/100mL brown spice notes. TITRATABLE ACIDITY: 0.54g/100mL

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