Luke Wines 2016 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25

For four straight vintages, Thomas Vogele focused his Luke Wines project on Cabernet Sauvignon. Starting in 2016, the University of Washington grad and his wife, Kristin, began to branch out with Merlot and Syrah. They’ve gone big with Luke as a brand, growing beyond 10,000 cases, and they pull all the fruit from Jerry Milbrandt’s vineyards on the Wahluke Slope. For this Merlot, the list reads Clifton, Northridge, Sundance, Talcott and the re-energized Wahluke Slope Vineyard. Blackcurrant, black cherry, vanilla and mint aromas lead into a deep and dark blue fruit profile that’s joined by taut yet sandy tannins and a long finish of Marionberry milkshake. Enjoy now with a rib eye, but there’s a long life ahead. Vogele’s two decades of experience working for the likes of Gallo, Trinchero and the Mondavi family have helped him get Luke into 35 states.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 1,053 cases

Alcohol: 13.9%

Winery website

2 Comments

1. 

   Brenda Hurdle

   July 5, 2019 at 12:48 pm

   Hi I purchase a bottle of your wine at a store here in Blaine there was no sleeve over the cork and it leaked so it was the last bottle they had of that kind I will send you a picture and they would not refund me and it is my sons name and I want to buy it for his birthday. What can you do for me .

   Reply
   • 

     Eric Degerman

     July 7, 2019 at 12:46 am

     Greetings, Brenda.

     You need to contact the producer. Here is the link to their website.

     https://www.winesbyluke.com/

     Sincerely,
     Eric

     Reply