World renowned. Washington grown.
2002 Two Vines Merlot-Cabernet
"Best Buy" - Wine Press Northwest
Tasting Notes
“Generous blackberry, black cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors unfold from the glass. This is a luscious, expressive wine with a soft, appealing finish.”
-Ray Einberger, Winemaker 
Growing Season
- The 2002 growing season began cool but concluded as among the warmest on record.
- Ideal weather conditions from mid-summer to early fall, with daytime to nighttime swings spanning as much as 20 degrees, were perfect for fruit maturation.
- Grape clusters were small and compact with fully mature berries.
- Fruit quality was excellent, marking the 5th consecutive quality vintage.
Vineyards
- Columbia Valley vineyards are seated east of the Cascade Mountain range. Up to 14,000 feet high, the mountains effectively block eastward-moving wet weather systems from the Pacific Ocean.
- Just 6 to 8 inches of rainfall reach the growing region annually. Vineyards are 100% drip irrigation.
- The soils have low fertility and low water-holding capacity, allowing precise control of vine growth patterns.
- Vines are planted north to south on south and southeast facing slopes.
Vinification
- Grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated to begin fermentation.
- Fermentation lasted six days on the skins.
- Aging in older French and American oak barrels lasted 12 to 14 months, depending on the lot.
- The master blend features the expressions of three varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.56 g/100ml
- pH: 3.65
- Alcohol: 13.5%