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| Michel Rolland
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Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and
consultant to many of the world's most famous wineries, partners with
Washington State wine pioneer Allen Shoup to produce the fourth vintage of this
limited release wine.
Tasting Notes: An intense, fruit forward wine, bursting with
dark cherries, ripe plum, dark chocolate and spice. Good concentration in the
wine adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal.
Supple tannins are well-integrated on the entry, across the mid-palate and
throughout the long, layered finish.
Vintage: The 2006 growing season produced big, jammy reds
well-suited to Michel Rolland's winemaking style. While there were some early
worries that high heat accumulation in July and August would cause grapes to
ripen too quickly, September temperatures cooled just enough to slow ripening
and allow flavors to fully develop. In short, a near-perfect Columbia Valley
vintage to showcase Rolland's trademark rich and concentrated style.
Winemaking: Hand harvested grapes underwent whole-berry
fermentation to avoid imparting harsh tannins in the wine and to preserve the
grapes' aromatics and fresh fruit character. Following fermentation, the wine
was moved into French oak (85% new) and aged 22 months in an assortment of
barrels from Rolland's favorite coopers, including Saury, Sylvain and Alain
Fouquet.
Vineyards: Pedestal is a blend of diverse vineyard sites, each
adding layers and complexity to the finished wine. Merlot from Conner Lee and
Dionysus Vineyards is wonderfully aromatic and bursting with fresh blueberries.
Mid-Columbia vineyards contribute boldness and structure. Merlot from Wallula
Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills adds a layer of earthiness to the wine.
Petit Verdot off the Wahluke Slope has great acidity, contributing to the
wine's liveliness, and Malbec enhances the wine's mouth feel and complexity.
Alcohol: 14.7%
pH: 3.83
TA: 0.51 grams / 100ml
Blend:
86% Merlot
8% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Petit Verdot
4% Malbec
Release date: February 2009
Production: 1,877 cases
SOLD OUT
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