This new, ultra-boutique winery in downtown Portland has displayed a Midas touch with single-variety releases, yet its deemed its flagship wine as this proprietary blend that borrows an Italian term for “first born.” Kevin Ross and Bob Switzer’s debut is a claret style leading with Merlot from Golden Ridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley (53%) with support of Cabernet Sauvignon from Echo West near Pendleton and Eldering in the Yakima Valley (38%), Malbec off Union Gap in the Yakima Valley (7%) and a dab of Petit Verdot. It’s an elegant drink that opens up with dense aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry fruith leather, dark chocolate, allspice and nutmeg. The delivery is deliciously smooth with Marionberry, raspberry and black currant with suave tannins and charming acidity that comes across as pomegranate. Seek this out at their tasting room on Harding Avenue, which is open weekend afternoons.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 69 cases
Alcohol: 14.6%
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