Community Tasting Note
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srh Likes this wine:
November 16, 2019 - Sat, 11/16/19, $2 Tasting: “97% Merlot & 3% Other Red Varietals sourced from premier vyd, 100% drip irrigated sites throughout the Columbia Valley, including Horse Heaven Hills & the Wahluke Slope. Grapes were crushed & then fermented for 6-10 days on skins to extract optimum frt & textural components. Malolactic fermentation occurred in a combination of s/s tanks & oak barrels. The wine aged predominately in both FR & AM oak barrels (40% new), for ≈17 mos. A small % of the wine aged in s/s to retain freshness of fruit & varietal character. 13.5% ABV, 0.53 g/100mL T.A., & 3.77 pH;”
N: RIPE berries with DEFINITE notes of toast; Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by a bit of astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt/swtness as it fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/bitter/SWTNESS trialectic to the few, firming, innocuously dusty tannins. For now & into, probably through, '21. My EXC-, & I'd listen to an argument for EXC based upon QPR. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price.]684 views