Best Buy! A trio of respected vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills — Alder Ridge Vineyards, Canoe Ridge Vineyards and Wallula Vineyards — now all controlled by owners of Precept Wine, contribute to this nicely priced and food-friendly Merlot. There are contributions of Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Malbec (3%), too. There’s little influence of barrel, which allows aromas of brambleberries, moist earth and tomato jam to include a slice of red bell pepper. On the palate, the focus is on dark red fruit, led by by cherries, as raspberry pushes through the penetrating structure at the finish line.
Rating: Excellent, 89 points
Production: 1,350 cases
Alcohol 14%
Leave a Reply