2017 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley

This supple, medium-bodied Merlot shows layers of black cherry, boysenberry and plum notes in the nose that translate into fleshy black fruit and chocolate flavors in the mouth. Brimming with a tremendous amount of texture and length, this wine should age gracefully for a minimum of 10-15 years. 
After destemming and crushing, grapes were fermented on their skins in small lots for an average time of 8 days. After being pressed off, each lot of wine was moved to an equal mix of new and once used French oak barrels for 21 months of barrel aging during which time the wine was racked every 5 months.
One of the advantages of having made wine in the Columbia Valley since the mid1980s is the opportunity it’s given me to work with some of the most dedicated growers in the industry. Our Columbia Valley wines are made from a short list of vineyards I consider to be among the best in the state. The diversity of these vineyards-representing many of the most mature, carefully managed sites in Washington-provides for a full range of fruit expression that allows me to craft complex, multi-layered wines true to Columbia Valley terroir as well as the varietal character of the grapes. Our 2017 Columbia Valley Merlot includes grapes from Klipsun, Champoux, Obelisco and Bacchus vineyards. 95% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.