Let me start by asking, “Can we have a Merlot revival in the U.S.?” Maybe Kelsey is on to something with this offering. Her 2022 Merlot is a wonderful example of what Washington Merlot can be, from the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla. The nose on this line is herbaceous and savory. The fruit finishes long and soft with acids and tannins in balance.
The fruit is sourced from Les Collines, a sustainably farmed single-vineyard comprised of silt and loamy soils, and located at 1,110-1,300 feet in the Walla Walla, AVA.
This is an excellent+ wine with aging potential, and even though only three years old, it’s drinking beautifully right now. Drink or hold for 4-7 years. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Petite Verdot, unfined and unfiltered. The best part? Only 12% alcohol, which to me represents easy drinking and great food pairing.
Read Kelsey’s Wine Characters interview, and learn why she chose this Merlot as her flagship wine.