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Tasting Notes
Deep, rich black cherry, raspberry and mocha aromas and flavors linger beautifully across a long, focused finish. Refined, well-integrated tannins add to the wine’s polish and grace.
Vintage
Without exception, winemakers around the state agree the 2005 vintage was a classic Columbia Valley growing season. Temperatures were warm in July and August, and then the heat backed off just enough in September to ripen fruit without rushing physiological maturity. The resulting wines are notable for their deep color, wonderful aromatics and delicious, complex flavors.
Vineyard
Novelty Hill’s estate vineyard, Stillwater Creek, is a steep, south-facing site on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills in Washington State’s Columbia Valley. With the goal of growing world-class wine grapes through careful vineyard management and innovative clonal selection, the vineyard is recognized for its unique collection of premium varietal clones, predominately Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Winemaking
• Hand-picked and fermented in small lot
• Gentle pumpovers during fermentation helped extract generous color and flavor while producing soft, supple tannins
• Gravity racked every three months to soften and clarify the wine
• Aged 18 months in 50% new, 50% one-year-old barrels; 80% French, 20% American
Blend - 92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot
Case Production - 478 cases
Alcohol - 14.4%
pH - 3.64
Total Acidity - 0.53 g/100 ml
Mike Januik, Winemaker
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