2018 Limited Release Cold Creek Red Wine Blend

Syrah might be my favorite red variety – it proudly trumpets its terroir, and also responds to any technique orchestrated by the winemaker. I chose three cool Yakima Valley vineyards that retain acidity and fresh red fruit, and treated each with Viognier co-fermentation or whole cluster additions.

This Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of blueberry and graham cracker with blackberry and juniper on the palate and finishes with soft, velvety tannins. Enjoy the complex offerings of this unique varietal.

Boreal reflects elegance and structure. This Syrah was co-fermented with 3% Viognier, sourced from Archie Den Hoed Vineyards (54%) Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard (32%) and Anna Marie Vineyard (14%). Specific to cooler sites, this wine showcases lifted floral notes, vibrant red fruits and delicate tannins.

Inspired by a Northern Italian wine blend, I was intrigued by their combination of Barbera and Syrah; Barbera for its high-toned cherry notes and brisk acidity and Syrah for its deep jamminess and sweet finish. Our Washington state version has this kind of wonderful point/counterpoint combination.

The 2018 vintage provided magical conditions to create a complex Merlot. Dineen Vineyard makes up 55% of this wine, and I added depth and texture with 45% old vine Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot. This Merlot encapsulates everything that is remarkable about Washington State Merlot made by Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Often overshadowed by its hotter neighboring appellations, the Yakima Valley is smattered with slopes, swales, and canyons that produce an exceptional gradient of wines. 59% Merlot offers a rich, structured base while 39% Syrah complements with layers of red fruits and wild peppercorns.

This blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne delivers richness and structure. Some of the Viognier was fermented in stainless steel to lend a bright pretty fruit note. The remaining Viognier, along with the Marsanne and Roussanne, was fermented in neutral barrels adding a creamy texture.

My Old World style vineyard is a natural for beautifully sculpted, complex red blends. This one was crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), Merlot (23%), Syrah (14%), Malbec (14%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). Five varietals from one Estate vineyard make for a harmonic statement that I enjoy crafting every year.

This wine is a labor of love that requires months of tasting hundreds of individual barrels of Chardonnay to find the perfect balance of concentration and complexity. Fermented with 100% natural, uninoculated yeast and aged 10 months in predominately French oak barrels.