This product of Ciel du Cheval (Red Mountain) and Elephant Mountain (Rattlesnake Hills) marked the 10th commercial vintage for Washington’s Carolyn Lakewold, the Olympia-area vintner who trained with Bob Andrake and Doug McCrea. Her barrel program for this is focused on neutral oak, which allows for the development of cherry cola, raspberry, Raisinets and vanilla aromas. Chocolate-covered cherries, plum juice, pomegranate and cocoa powder flavors make for a rather hedonistic, lighter-styled Merlot that’s ready to enjoy now.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 280 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
Leave a Reply