2013Merlot
2013Merlot
The 2013 Tenor Merlot was crafted from one select vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington State, Hedges Family Estate. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were hand-harvested in the early fall mornings.
Upon arriving at the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel. Using only the free-run wine, it was moved to 67% new and 33% used custom French oak barrels for 18 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, producing only 219 cases.
Tasting Notes
Ripe and opulent with bramble fruit, raspberries, blackberries and boysenberry. Swirling adds smoke, spice and vanilla bean, reminiscent of a berry compote panna cotta. The palate is thick, forward and opulently textured. Fine tannins and squeezed berries carry the finish.
Varietal Composition
100% Merlot
Awards & Accolades
"This wine is all varietal. It brings aromas of toast, barrel spice, licorice and jammy red fruit that are followed by full-bodied red-fruit flavors. The tannins provide a firm grip."
91 points, Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast
"Sporting a deep ruby/purple color, the 2013 Columbia Valley Merlot spent 19 months in 80% new French oak. It offers plenty of leafy herbs, black cherries, plums, tobacco and sweet oak as well as medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, seamless texture and impeccable overall balance. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming decade."
91 points, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
"(15% alcohol; aged in 80% new French oak; 60% from vineyards owned by the Corliss’s on Red Mountain): Deep ruby-red. Sultry aromas of cassis, smoke, bitter chocolate and violet. Seriously concentrated, almost viscous Merlot with impressive medicinal reserve to its powerful dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes with substantial, sweet tannins. This boasts terrific fruit intensity for Washington Merlot. For his part, winemaker Aryn Morell is a big fan of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's cult Merlot bottling, Masseto."
91 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
