WINES

Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Gris 2007 Pinot Gris 2008 Riesling 2007 Riesling 2008 Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Small Lots

Small Lots - Hand Crafted

2007 Syrah

McKinley Springs Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills

6 Barrels (145 cases) $29

This wine was made from Syrah grapes from the McKinley Springs Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. The grapes were fermented in small bins, punched down by hand and then pressed off and racked to new American oak barrels to finish fermentation. The wine was aged in new American Oak for 20 months. This Syrah shows the variety’s spice and gaminess but keeps it in check and finishes with very supple tannins.

TA                   .80
pH                   4.01
Alcohol          14.2
Varietal %     100% Syrah
Release Date August 2009, David Forsyth - Winemaker

2007 Petit Verdot

Spice Cabinet Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills

2 Barrels (34 cases) $29

This Petit Verdot is the first crop from the Mercer’s Spice Cabinet Vineyard which is on a steep south East slope overlooking the Columbia River located in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. This is the first time I have worked with this variety and I have found it to be quite intriguing with its floral lilac tones and great color and structure. Petit Verdot is a late ripening thick skinned red grape which historically was used in Bordeaux to add color and structure to the blends but was difficult to ripen in all but the warmest vintages. Petit Verdot appears to do quite well in our warmer Washington climate especially in a warm site such as the Spice Cabinet Vineyard. This wine was aged in French and American oak for 20 months and produced a deeply colored and structured but surprisingly supple wine with an exotic floral accent. This wine will be a great ager and will continue to evolve over time showing different facets of this unique variety.

TA                   0.77
pH                   3.88
Alcohol          14.1%
Varietal %     100% Petit Verdot
Release Date September 2009, David Forsyth - Winemaker

2007 Mourvedre

Spice Cabinet Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills

1 Barrels (26 cases) $29

Also known as Monastrell or Mataro this red grape is used widely in France’s Provence as a component in blends with Grenache to add color, structure, fruit and spice. This is wine is made from the first crop of grapes from our Spice Cabinet Vineyard, located in the Horse Heaven Hills, overlooking the Columbia River. This warm site is well suited to fully ripen the Mourvedre grape to display flavors of blackberries, black pepper, sage and gaminess. The wine was fermented in small bins and hand punched and then after pressing off the wine was aged in a neutral French oak barrel for twenty months so to develop and not mask the grapes’s natural flavors.

TA                   0.73
pH                   3.97
Alcohol          13.9%
Varietal %     95% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah
Release Date 2010, David Forsyth - Winemaker

2007 Sangiovese

Spice Cabinet Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills

2 Barrels (50 cases) $29

Sangiovese widely planted in Italy especially Tuscany where it is used in Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Supertuscan blends. It has moderate color and higher acidity but ages very well to produce a complex wine that matches well with food.   These grapes were grown in our Spice Cabinet Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, a warm site that fully develops the color and flavors of this noble grape. This wine was aged in older French oak barrels for twenty months to develop the grape’s flavors of cherry and earth without masking the fruit with oak. Bottle aging of this wine will continue to increase its complexity and interest.
TA                   0.68
pH                   3.81
Alcohol          14.3%
Varietal %     100% Sangiovese

Release Date 2010, David Forsyth - Winemaker