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Merry Cellars 2015 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, $48

Palouse producer Patrick Merry has proven himself to be a talent with Rhône varieties. His Roussanne topped a 2018 tasting of white Rhones by Wine Press Northwest, and this work with Mourvèdre from Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Frenchman Hills is rather moving, too. A product of that historically hot vintage, the Sept. 25 harvest came in at 27 Brix, and Merry later included some Syrah (17%) picked on Oct. 8. His use of 3-year-old American and 1-year-old Hungarian barrels keeps the focus on the herbaceous and purple fruit throughout. Aromas of rosemary and horehound runs alongside blueberry, brownie mix and minerality. On the palate, it’s bright, flavorful, fascinating as Marionberry, sandy tannins and some earthiness lead out with blackcurrant, plum and black pepper. It screams for lamb.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 136 cases
Alcohol: 15.5%
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