
Best Buy! Ste. Michelle alumna Ashley Stephens has worked for the Mercer family for a decade, and this vintage signaled her promotion to winemaker, taking over for Jeremy Santo. All six of the Platinum winners won by the Mercers in 2023 were for red Bordeaux varieties, and here’s another stunning value. The nose opens with intense hints of dark cherry and plum reduction sauce, joined by cedar, leather and vanilla bean. There’s a sense of decadence to the structure of mountain berry marmalade and rich chocolate, supported by a full mouthfeel, persistent tannins and a red currant finish. Qualifying award: International Women’s Wine Competition (gold)
Rating: Platinum • 91 points
Production: 2,874 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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