
For the second straight year, Boise-area winemaker Will Wetmore used a red Rhône grape to win best of show at the Cascadia International. In 2023, it was with a Grenache. In the spring of 2024, he used Mourvèdre — although he prefers the Spanish word for the variety. As he did with the Grenache, he collaborated with Sawtooth vineyard manager Jake Cragin of Winemakers LLC for this Mourvèdre. Its enticingly spicy nose of chili pepper, green bell pepper and cedar moves into remarkable layers of ripe raspberry, plum and vanilla with underpinnings of prosciutto thyme. Feathery tannins and bright acidity make for a somewhat hedonistic finish driven by cherries. And Wetmore promotes the artwork of his sister-in-law on the label, featuring Joelle Cooperrider painting Study No. 35.
Rating: Cascadia International Wine Competition awards for best of show / best red wine / gold medal — 96 points — Outstanding!
Production: 85 cases
Alcohol: 15.5%
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