Badger Mountain Organic Merlot 2019, Columbia Valley, Washington

Visionary and life-long farmer Bill Powers planted Badger Mountain Vineyard with his son Greg in 1982. Just six years later, well-before the word organic became trendy and then universal, Bill transitioned his 80-acre estate to organic viticulture and in 1990 Badger Mountain Vineyard became the first Certified Organic winegrape vineyard in Washington State. Produced in the premiere Columbia Valley AVA, Badger Mountain Wines benefit from an ideal location and climate, deep volcanic soil, and organic production from vine to bottle. 2019 vintage – 95% organic Merlot, 5% organic Cabernet Sauvignon, 90% Alice Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, 5% Badger Mountain Estate Merlot, Columbia Valley, 5% Michaels Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope. Great complex aromas of strawberry, raspberry, black plum with a nice hint of vanilla and currant lead to a nicely structured palate. Fresh red fruits balanced with plum and blackberry linger nicely alongside a hint of thyme, fennel and a nice minerality that is balanced with medium tannins and a touch of acidity.