A trio of vineyards downstream from each other between Sentinel Gap and the Tri-Cities – Northridge and StoneTree on the Wahluke Slope and Sagemoor’s Dionysus near the Hanford Reach National Monument – come together for this blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot. Technically, Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel could label this as Merlot, instead the initials of the proprietary blend stand for Big F—— Merlot, and it’s akin to cherry bomb explosion with cherry jam and kirsch backed by dark chocolate. There’s some good grip to the tannin structure – it is Washington Merlot, after all – yet the chocolate-covered blackberry and skilled alcohol management rounds out the finish. Traditionally, the Wisconsin boys’ Stained Tooth Society slurps down much of it upon release, so ask for it at your wine merchant, restaurants or their tasting rooms in Walla Walla and Woodinville.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 336 cases
Alcohol: 15.5%
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