Winemaker: Gordon Hill
Overview:
In 1997, we planted our first vines in the Eastern Washington AVAs of Columbia Valley and Wahluke Slope. At first glance, Eastern Washington is not your typical wine country. It’s a remote, windswept, high desert dotted with sagebrush and tumbleweeds. But our family had been farming here since the mid-1950s and we believed the region’s moderate temperatures, low rainfall and sandy soils were ideal for grapes. To help with the planting and farming, we hired well-respected viticulturist, James McFerran. Eight years later, after selling our fruit to many of Washington’s preeminent wineries, we hired veteran winemaker Gordon Hill to produce wines from the best blocks. Today, we farm 13 distinct estate vineyard sites totaling nearly 1800 acres.
Vineyard:
Our 2008 Traditions Merlot features grapes from a number of our estate
vineyards in Eastern Washington’s Wahluke Slope. Established in 2006, the Wahluke Slope is a sub-region within the Columbia Valley appellation. Located midway between Seattle and Spokane it is bordered by the Columbia River to the southwest and Hanford Reach National Monument to the east. The climate here is warm enough during the day to fully ripen grapes, yet cool enough at night to ensure bright acids and firm tannins.
Tasting Notes:
Our 2008 Traditions Merlot is elegant, balanced and approachable. The nose is bright and forward with cherries, berries and plums wrapped in crème brulée and brown sugar. The flavors are a seamless blend of fruit, oak and acidity. Serve with beef Wellington, pork ribs, sirloin, roast lamb, salmon, “beer can” chicken, pizza and cheese.
Words from our Winemaker:
“When grown in the proper places, Merlot produces some of the world’s
greatest wines. Eastern Washington just happens to be a proper place.
Our Traditions Merlot is deep and lush with cassis, blueberries, toast
and vanilla.”
Wine Statistics:
Composition: 78% Merlot / 16% Cabernet Sauvignon / 5% Malbec / 1% Barbera
AVA: Columbia Valley
Alcohol: 13.8%
pH: 3.68
Harvest Date: 9/15/08
Yeast: Premier Cuvee
Cases: 9,079
Oak: French and Hungarian / 50% new oak
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