Walla Walla’s Casey McClellan began working with Merlot in 1982, and his expertise with the variety made him an clear choice to serve on the “home team” portion of the winemakers’ Merlot panel during this year’s Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine festival. His expression from vineyards on Red Mountain, the Wahluke Slope and his home valley produces a youthful Merlot and serves as another marvelous example of his winemaking prowess. Aromas of Bing cherry, dusty elderberry, Aussie-style blueberry licorice and thyme lead to a lovely mouth feel of black currant, chocolate-coverage pomegranate and more elderberry. The focus is on the fruit, backed by a long finish of cherry-rhubarb compote, Assam tea and sweet tobacco.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 675 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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