Barnard Griffin Rob’s Red Blend 2020, Columbia Valley, Washington

Rob Griffin (Winemaker) – Nature gave us a remarkably unremarkable harvest – which is not necessarily a bad thing. A Goldilocks vintage, if you will: not too hot, not too cold. Just right. I would be remiss not to mention the human factors that appeared throughout 2020’s harvest; an ongoing pandemic and wildfires tore through the Pacific Northwest, cloaking our region in smoke. Fortunately, we were already wearing masks. In the end, we made it through both unscathed – with a healthy cellar team and grapes that came in without a touch of smoke taint. Winemaking: Pumpovers 2 times daily; pressed at 1-3% sugar; peak fermentation temperature 85 degrees; aged in 16 months in barrel. Tasting notes: The bright and concentrated personality of this delicious 6-vineyard, cab-based red blend is filled with racy cherry, orange zest and cranberry flavors. Juicy acidity augments the lengthy, fruit-filled finish.