Technical notes

Vinification * Grapes were crushed with 30% whole berries remaining. * Cold soaking on the skins for two days extracted soft tannins and intense color. * Fermentation, including twice-daily pumpovers, lasted 6-10 days, depending on the lot. * A portion of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, which occurred in primarily new French oak barrels. * The wine aged in new barrels for 24 months.

Other text

Vineyards * Fruit was handpicked from the vintage’s best vineyards for Columbia Crest’s Reserve Merlot. * Vineyard sites are located on the Wahluke Slope, offering aromatics, texture and complexity; in the Cold Creek area, adding to the flavor and fruitiness; and in the Horse Heaven Hills, contributing balance and body to the finished wine. * The balance between warm daytime temperatures and cooler evenings concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity. * Low rainfall stressed the vines, and irrigation was applied judiciously to create concentrated varietal expression.