Item Number: 6875 UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: Washington Sub Region: Columbia Valley
Appellation/AVA: Columbia Valley
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13.8
Total Acidity: 0.56
pH: 3.8
Vineyard Sources: Sagemoor Farms, Bacchus & Dionysus
Aging: 100% French oak (40% new, 60% 1-year) for 11 months

Vintage Notes: The 2011 Merlot is a wonderful example of how well Merlot can grow in Washington State during a really cool year. The 2010 vintage taught – or retaught – some how to make wine in an unusually cool vintage. John Abbott had to go back to his notes from the 1993 vintage to recall which of his practices worked best. He learned a bunch from the 2010 vintage and when it appeared that 2011 was going to be similar, or even colder, John made some early and very important decisions. First, was dropping fruit and adjusting the canopy for as much sun exposure as possible. The second was investing in more tanks so that we could macerate the fruit on the skins longer than normal. Some vineyards from certain vintages will soften and become more polished as they sit on the skins after dryness. "Of all of the Merlot wines I have been involved with, the 2011 vintage is possibly my favorite. For me, the aroma of blackberry cobbler early in the fermenter is a sure sign of success in the vineyard and accurate picking decisions." - John Abbott

Tasting Notes: The wine is loaded with both red and blue fruits. Bing cherries and wild mountain strawberries meld into blueberries and black raspberries. Great texture in the mouth; the lower alcohol allows the fruit and acidity to show through the finish of the wine. Pair with a burger, jambalaya, spaghetti and meatballs, or a bone-in rib eye steak would all be delicious with this wine. If you do want to try something new, the next time you make meatloaf, substitute black beans for half the hamburger. I know it may sound odd, but it is wonderful! Add hot peppers too for some spice.

John's Music Pairing: "The music pairing came quickly to me on this wine: The Sweetest Perfection by Depeche Mode and the entire Depeche Mode Great Violator album. I don’t normally like greatest hits collections, but The Best of OMD is also a 2011 Merlot finalist. Crank it up and enjoy some hits you may have forgotten, like Electricity, Forever Live and Die, Secret, and of course, Enola Gay."