This “non-vintage” Mistral is 91% Grenache and 9% Syrah from Red Mountain’s Ciel du Cheval vineyard.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Ruby color and rich, smoky aromas of raspberry, strawberry, red currant, crushed roses, mulberry,
sweet tobacco, lavender and wafts of spiced incense. The flavors are pleasingly supple, yet substantial, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, sassafras tea and Red Mountain calcareous earth. On the back, the wine intensifies, with sensations of pressed berries, toasted nuts, framboise and crème de cassis liqueurs, and soft pencil lead, followed by a chewy, sweetish soft tannin finish that is lifted by bright fruit acids.
Ratings
88 Points: Savor Northwest
18.5+ Points: Review of Washington Wines
Awards
Silver Medal: Savor Northwest Wine Awards
Silver Medal: Tri Cities Wine Festival
Vineyard Notes
100% Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
Production Notes
Brix (% sugar) at harvest was 29.4%. Our grapes were hand sorted and mechanically destemmed into a small bin for a 1-2 day cold soak to bring out flavors and color. Yeast and nutrients were then added to start a 7-10 day fermentation. Then the “free run” wine was pumped into barrels and the remaining skins were gently pressed to extract remaining wine. into the barrels. The wine then went through a malolactic fermentation which softens the wine.
Food Pairing Notes
Pairs with goat cheese, lamb skewers, high wind warnings and sideways rain.