Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot-cabernet

TASTING NOTES The Merlot-Cabernet is a fruit-forward wine featuring generous blackberry huckleberry dark currants and plum flavors wrapped around a core of vanilla. The soft tannins impart a velvety texture that leads to a rich silky finish. GROWING REGION 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. WINEMAKING Grapes were destemmed crushed and inoculated to begin fermentation. Fermentation lasted 6-10 days on the skins. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. The wine then aged in 100% Stainless Steel.