World renowned. Washington grown.
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Horse Heaven Hills
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1998 Reserve Merlot
Tasting Notes
"Our first Reserve Merlot offers concentrated varietal expression—the hallmark of Washington merlots. This is an imposing wine with an ideal combination of richness, structure and balance. Deep cherry and raspberry characters are threaded with appealling aromas of nutmeg and vanilla bean. Consistent flavors are joined with cocoa in the mouth to create a complex, intense and lingering merlot experience." -Doug Gore, Winemaker
Vintage
- Early growing season temperatures were mild and bud break commenced in April.
- Hot, dry weather held in July, producing small clusters of small, powerfully flavored berries.
- Warm temperatures continued through August, which slowed ripening and allowed additional hang time.
- Traditional 30-40-degree day-to-night temperature swings held September through the conclusion of harvest in mid-October.
Vineyards
- Reserve program grapes come from 20-year-old vineyards with low crop levels.
- Vineyards are seated in proximity to the Columbia River which provides moderating effect on temperatures in winter and summer.
- Vines were planted north to south on south and southeast facing slopes.
- Soils are sandy loams to sandy silt loams.
- Average rainfall totals 6” to 8” annually with 90% falling during dormancy. Vineyards are 100% drip irrigation.
Vinification
- Each vineyard source was harvested and held separately for vinification. Grapes fermented for nine days on the skins, then the wine was racked by gravity flow to French and American oak barrels.
- Malolactic fermentation occurred in the barrel.
- The wine aged for 23 months. Each barrel was hand topped weekly, and barrel to barrel racking occurred every three months.
- The master blend features just 10% of the barrel lots originally identified for the Reserve program.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.54 g/100ml
- pH: 3.68
- Alcohol: 13.9%