14.5

Fruit was destemmed and carefully fermented in small lots and gently pressed at dryness. The wine was aged eighteen months in mixed French cooperage and tank before being blended and bottled.

45% - Cockburn Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley
Cockburn Vineyard is a 52-acre vineyard in well-drained, deep, silty-loam in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The vineyard row orientation is east-west, and the layout is 5x4 feet. The vineyard is planted at 1,500 to 1,300 feet of elevation and was planted in 2010. The high elevation of this site leads to wines with great structure and intensity.

55% - King Organics Vineyard
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley
Merlot from the very east end of the Wahluke Slope AVA, growing on a gentle south-facing gentle slope at about 900 feet elevation. The soils are silty loam and stony silt loam, and it was planted in 2008. The vineyard is not irrigated to stress the vines, and the grapes have been certified organic since 2018.

The growing season in the Columbia Valley in 2021 began with a dry winter, leading to low soil moisture when bud break started in late March. Bloom began slightly earlier than usual at the end of May and continued into early June, as temperatures warmed considerably. In late June, record heat was followed by more hot, dry weather, leading to smaller than average yields. Veraison began in mid-July, and after another hot, dry month, harvest began in mid-August for early white varieties. Cooler temperatures in September stretched out the growing season for later varieties, allowing the development of rich flavors during the extended hang time. 2021 in the Columbia Valley will be remembered for small quantity and excellent quality, with great concentration and power in the wines.

This wine shows a ruby color with purple hues. Aromas of ripe plum and blackberry mingle with hints of mint and milk chocolate. The flavors mimic the aromas with additional notes of spice and vanilla. Moderate tannins and a smooth texture round out a fruity finish that lingers on warm spice. Enjoy now or for years to come.

Grapes, Yeast, Yeast Extract, Tartaric Acid, Tannin, SO₂.