Lee and Emily Fergestrom built their winery in the Yakima Valley, and they only source grapes from the Yakima Valley. The Rawn family’s Copeland Vineyard is less than 9 miles to the west as the crow flies, and young winemaker Alexis Sells helped produce one of the tasting’s most fruit-forward Merlots. Dark red fruit aromas are led by black cherry, currant jelly and nutmeg. There’s richness, depth and concentration on the palate, making for a remarkably heavy and plummy mouth feel that’s backed by bittersweet chocolaty tannins. While this bottling isn’t scheduled to be released until summer, it’s already outstanding. And it’s a remarkable follow up to Fortuity’s 2018 Merlot, which topped Sip Magazine’s Best of the Northwest 2021 judging.
Rating: Gold medal – 91 points
Production: 92 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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