Want to make sure you get super-ripe fruit? Go see Tedd Wildman on the Wahluke Slope. Many of Washington state’s most hedonistic wines come from his StoneTree Vineyard, and Ray Einberger made the call to harvest Block 15 on Sept. 14, more than three weeks prior to the “game over” freeze in Eastern Washington. This wine seems to be at its peak right now and casts off aromas of black currant, dark cherry, molasses, cola and cedar. There’s a dense and rich entry of black Bing cherries and plums, backed by coffee, chocolate, Earl Grey tea and black pepper. There’s much to like here, including the integration of 70 percent new French oak barrels and those tannins are ever-present. The 2010 recently hit the market, but its older brother is work hunting for, too.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 175 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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