Tamarack Cellars Counoise 2017, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington

Tamarack Cellars is located in a restored World War II Fire Station and Barracks in Walla Walla, Washington. They produce small lots of hand-crafted wines from select vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima and Columbia Valley appellations. 100% Counoise from Red Mountain. Aged 18 months in neutral oak barrels. Grapes were crushed gently and dropped by gravity into a 2 ton round tank, cold soaked 36 hours, then inoculated with RP 15 yeast, hand- punched and pressed directly to barrel, where the wine finishes both primary and secondary fermentation. Leads with bright fruit on the nose with hints of baking spices and savory white pepper. Luscious, tart red fruit including cherries and cranberries as well as raspberry vinaigrette notes show on the palate, with a touch of vanilla bean and semi- sweet chocolate, finishing with soft tannins.