Revelry Reserve Merlot Aerials 2016, Alder Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington

Founded in 2005, Revelry Vintners is a progressive producer of premium wines, highlighting the viticulture and dynamic quality of Washington State’s Columbia Valley, and building a tradition of excellence. The Aerials Series includes seven wines, each produced from a single-clone of a single-variety, and sourced from a single vineyard site. The wines collectively display continuity in purity and quality; individually they prove the incredible diversity possible here in Washington State. They are the ultimate expression of varietal and place. “Merlot is the grape most responsible for the existence of Revelry Vintners. After years of tasting and enjoying wine with a raw interest, it was a singular experience with Merlot sourced merely miles from where we now grow our Merlot for this wine in the House Heaven Hills AVA that wholly grabbed our Winemaker, Jared Burns’, attention. Merlot from these locations shows the variety in what we feel is its true light.” Merlot from the Horse Heaven Hills is one of our favorite expressions of the grape. While the ’16 has the over the top flavors of dark cherry, blueberry and black fruit, it is the texture in this wine that has us swooning. Saltwater taffy comes to mind trying to pin down the exact ‘je ne sais quoi’. Whatever you call it, it makes this wine a stunner to its center!” – winery 100% Merlot. 50% new French Bbls. Sourced from Alder Ridge Vineyard, planted in 1998.