TASTING NOTES
“This wine is a very typical Mourvèdre, showing beautiful black fruits highlighted by savory notes of soy, leather and exotic spices. The 2009 vintage was a great one for Mourvèdre, as this variety really likes the Washington state heat, and this vintage was a classic for the region. The mouthfeel is always rounder and softer than expected, which is why I love to blend with this variety as well. Try this with a hearty beef stew.” - Bob Bertheau, Winemaker

• VINTAGE
• The 2009 growing season was ideal with dry, warm weather and lots of sunshine.
• The season started a week late in blooming, but caught up as the perfect ripening weather lasted through September.
• The weather was not too hot, which allowed grapes to retain their natural acidity.

• VINEYARDS
• 96% of the fruit was sourced from Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds and complex Rhone based varietals.
• Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River and to the north by the Saddle Mountains.
• Of all areas that seem to mimic the climate and soils of the Rhone Valley, our Wahluke Slope does a great job, producing Rhone varietal based wines of strength and complex character.

• WINEMAKING
• Grapes were sorted with a new grape receiving system and MOG (materials other than grapes) separation system that gets fruit to the fermenters in a more gentle and pure manner, allowing for better varietal expression and softer mouthfeel.
• Ripe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with a variety of yeasts for maximum complexity.
• Daily gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins.  The pumpovers can vary by block, tank and day of fermentation. Every ferment is tasted every day to evaluate the evolution of the tannins, modify extraction techniques and find the right moment to drain the wine off of its skins. 
• Aged for 18 months in French and American oak.

• TECHNICAL DATA
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Total Acidity: 0.54g /100ml
• pH: 3.97
• Blend: 83% Mourvèdre, 17% Syrah