The Mercer family has raised more than $80,000 for veterans’ charities via its unique program with these prized Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in Block 93 of Cavalie Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. This marks the third vintage for Eagle & Plow, a product of 911 vines planted across 1 acre in memory of vineyard manager John Derrick’s best friend, Richard Guadagno. The longtime U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee was a passenger on Flight 93, which ended in Pennsylvania with the heroic “Let’s Roll” assault on the 9/11 hijackers. Soon after, Rob Mercer returned to the Marines and served in Iraq before coming home and taking over Mercer Estates. His winemaker, Jessica Munnell, seemingly spared no expense on this 2.4-ton lot, which included double sorting and whole-cluster fermentation. Sixty percent of the French oak barrels were new, and those 18 months in that wood allows for richness from start to finish, offering milk chocolate-covered blueberries, cherry and vanilla. Its fine-grained tannins slowly blossom, making for a delicious and big finish. This wine is limited to tasting room sales, which starting June 7 includes the Mercers’ new outlet in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 283 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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