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Mercer Estates 2012 Sharp Sisters Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $26
Carma Sharp-Mercer and her sisters likely would have taken special delight knowing that one of Washington’s sharpest young winemakers — Jessica Munnell — arrived at this fun blend of Merlot (40%), Syrah (25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Sangiovese, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo and Grenache. This marked her first vintage working for the Horse Heaven Hills family, and she didn’t rush this, allowing for 26 months in barrel. There’s a fair bit of oak nuances in the nose with brown sugar, chocoalte and toast among red currant, black cherry, ground savory and black olive notes. Inside comes a bold entry of black currant, Marionberry and blueberry flavors, framed by assertive tannins and a juicy finish. The following for this blend prompted the family to nearly triple its production from the 2011 vintage.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 5,000 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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