2009 J|R|G Red
Vintage Notes
The 2009 vintage can be characterized by a cool spring, an exceptionally hot July and a vintage ending freeze on October 11th. The July heat wave shut down vine canopies leaving good sun exposure on the fruit and maintained small berry size. This translates to big structured wines with concentrated fruit flavors. From mid-August until harvest, three heat spikes pushed sugar levels up while we waited for tannins and flavors to mature. Higher alcohol levels give the wines more weight and viscosity. This was counter balanced by a high percentage of Petite Verdot in the blend. The wines are bold and structured and will benefit from two to five years of cellaring.
Blend Details
75% Merlot
15% Petit Verdot
10% Malbec
Appellation
75% Horse Heaven Hills
25% Walla Walla
Vineyards
75% Canoe Ridge Estate
25% Seven Hills
Aging Profile
20 months in new (22%), single use (46%) and neutral (32%) French oak barrels
Harvest Dates
September 23 – October 1, 2009
Alcohol
14.7%
Release Date
Fall, 2012
Production
213 cases of 750mL bottles
It exhibits a deep ruby color and intriguing aromas. The back reveals notes of sweet-dry macerated berries, dried cherries, cinnamon bark, and mocha, followed by moderate oak and tannins on a lingering, lightly spiced, chewy yet focused finish. This packs a lot for $30.
Another excellent bottle using fruit from Canoe Ridge Estate and Seven Hills vineyards. An aromatically appealing, distinct wine with dark raspberries, blueberries, and graphite. The palate is rich and broad, full of ripe dark fruit flavors and soft tannins.
Thoughtfully made and sourced from two excellent vineyards – Walla Walla’s Seven Hills and Canoe Ridge in the Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area – this is 70% Merlot, with smaller portions of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Black cherry, black olive, clean earth and fine tannins mark its passage across the palate. This has excellent balance and medium-term age-ability. – P.G. (14.9% abv)
