Wine Outlet Hedges Columbia Valley Cms Red 2009

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Review

"The dark color of this wine indicates the concentrated ripe black cherry fruit and sweet, toasted oak aromas that are on the nose initially. These are followed by herbal and floral aromas which lend additional complexity to the bouquet. In the mouth, you will find a rich, sweet, round entry bursting with toasted oak and dark red fruit flavors. Nice acid and a long, structured finish make this a truly rich tasting wine." *Sourced from www.hedgescellars.com

Wine maker notes

"Grapes came from the Horse Heaven Hills vineyard of Destiny Ridge, the Columbia Valley vineyards of Bacchus, Weinbau, and Sagemoor (all part of Sagemoor Farms), as well as Goose Ridge, and the Red Mountain Vineyards of Bel’ Villa, Hedges, and RMV (2% Red Mountain). About 90% French oak, 10% American oak split, with some lots stored for up to one year in barrels. Harvest Notes www.hedgesfamilyestate.com 2006 was one of the greatest vintages in the last decade and our wines from Hedges reflect this with some of the best wines made to date. Mostly even temperatures with little wind and rain during bloom made for nice set. The summer was hot, but not too hot. Typical fall ripening conditions of warm days (80-85) and cool nights (45-50) began in mid-September and continued through October. Our philosophy of picking at optimum flavor maturity prompted us to pick warmer site fruit as early as the third week of September and cooler site fruit the last week of October." *Sourced from www.hedgescellars.com

Technical notes

52% Cabernet Sauvignon 44% Merlot 4% Syrah

Producer

Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges began Hedges Cellars in 1987. By keeping a narrow focus on a few varieties and a few wines, Hedges has become a landmark winery in Washington State. The first wine produced was a Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot labeled Cabernet · Merlot. The wine was sold exclusively in the Swedish market and was an immediate success. Distribution was initiated in the U.S. in late 1990 with the 1989 vintage of Cabernet · Merlot.

In order to maintain quality control, the Hedges began securing grapes from some of the finest vineyards in the state. Tom and Anne-Marie went to Red Mountain, a sub-growing region of the Columbia Valley, which is internationally recognized as producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Hedges purchased land on Red Mountain in 1989 and planted 18 acres of Merlot, 16 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1 acre of Cabernet Franc. Additional acreage was purchased in 1997 and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (14), Merlot (8), Cabernet Franc (3), and Syrah (5).

Hedges portfolio expanded in 1992 with the addition of Fumé · Chardonnay. A combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Hedges Fumé · Chardonnay has rapidly become the white wine equivalent of Hedges Columbia Valley Cabernet · Merlot in that it has quickly been recognized for its exceptional quality and value. “Three Vineyards” as the name implies, is composed of fruit from three vineyards: the Hedges Estate Vineyards (Chateau and Bel’Villa) and Red Mountain Vineyard (RMV). Red Mountain Reserve is made from small production lots of the finest barrels from these same vineyard sources. Red Mountain Reserve and Three Vineyards wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and occasionally Cabernet Franc grown exclusively on Red Mountain, Washington’s foremost wine producing area.

The chateau-styled winery was completed at the Hedges Estate Vineyard in 1995. In 1997 a facility in Issaquah, just East of Seattle, was completed to house a tasting room, hospitality center with professional kitchen, and administrative offices. Today, Hedges Cellars wines can be found in 45 states and 15 foreign countries.