Convergence Zone Cellars 2009 Storm Front

2009 STORM FRONT

Tasting Notes
Aged with 25% new French and American oak, Storm Front’s aromas and flavors are a Convergence of plum, black cherry, chocolate, allspice and graphite with soft tannins and a juicy finish.

Winemaker’s Notes
The grapes were hand-picked and brought to Woodinville for processing. The fruit is loaded onto a conveyor belt where it is sorted before entering a destemmer. The grapes then fall into a small fermentation bin for a 1-2 day cold soak to bring out flavors and color.

Yeast is then added to the “must” which ferments for 7-14 days. Some of the grape skins rise to the top of the bin forming a cap due to the production of carbon dioxide and heat during fermentation. This cap is “punched down” 2 to 3 times per day to keep the skins moist and mix oxygen into the must.

After fermentation ends, the wine is pumped out into barrels (the “free run”) and the remaining skins are loaded into a pneumatic bladder press to gently extract remaining liquid. This “press run” is also pumped into barrels. The wine then goes through a malolactic fermentation which softens the wine.

Vintage Notes
The 2009 vintage was one of the warmest on record. Moderating temperatures in early September and cooler than normal temps in mid-late September eased fears about harvesting over-ripe grapes. Longer time on the vine allowed varietal flavors to catch up with sugar development. A hard freeze on Oct. 11 abruptly ended the season.

Harvest was earlier than average. Merlot was picked on September 12 and 19, Cabernet Franc on Sept. 25, Malbec on October 9 and Cabernet Sauvignon on Oct. 10.

Awards and Reviews
San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition: Gold Medal
Review of Washington Wines: 18.5/20 points
Wine Spectator: 91 points
Wine Press Northwest: "Outstanding" (highest rating)
2011 Tri-Cities Wine Festival: Silver Medal

Wine Data
Vintage: 2009
Appellation: Red Mountain
Varietals: Merlot (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Malbec (15%)
Vineyards: E&E Shaw (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), Red Heaven (Merlot), Bel Villa (Cabernet Franc) and Gilbert (Malbec)
Alcohol: 14.6%
Cases Produced: 120

$27.99 per bottle
15% Case Discount