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Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Merlot 63 Cabernet Franc 37, Columbia Valley, $45
Owner/founder Nina Buty extended her string of blending Merlot with Cabernet Franc to 15 consecutive vintages, dating back to the debut vintage of her Walla Walla winery. While the Merlot came off Conner Lee Vineyard on Sept. 17, the Cabernet Franc got pulled from Clone 332 Block on Sept. 25 and the 1991 Block on Sept. 30. All the grapes came to winemaker Chris Dowsett at 25 Brix, who fermented the lots separately in 30% new French oak until stitches the blends in January 2016. Lovely aromatics of sweet Marionberry and blueberry include herbs such as rosemary, thyme and dill as well as a whiff of movie theater popcorn. Inside, it’s impeccably balanced with sweet cherries, ripe brambleberries, supple tannins, a dusting of white pepper and lingering acidity.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 325 cases
Alcohol: 14.7%
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