National Red Wine Day is August 28th this year, and even though we celebrate red wines daily here at Patterson Cellars, we thought we’d grace you with some new additions to the Patterson Cellars red wine family and a little behind-the-scenes about where they come from. Bust out the corkscrews and prepare for a journey starting at Red Mountain and ending with a glass of Patterson Cellars red wine in your hand.
2016 Red Mountain Cuvée
Red Mountain
First up on this exclusive list is our 2016 Red Mountain Cuvée. This wine is a gorgeous blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 36% Merlot, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the grapes are sourced from the Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence vineyards located in the Red Mountain AVA.
The Ciel du Cheval vineyard was replanted in 2005 with a mission to “grow grapes that are the best reflection of the unique terroir and give a sense of place.” By focusing on soil conservation and environmentally friendly farming tactics, this vineyard grows some of the best grapes in Washington, and it shows in this wine.
The Quintessence vineyard is on the younger side as the first phase of planting took place in 2010. The first harvest in 2012 blew people away with the quality of the grapes for such young vines. This vineyard sits on a slope angled to the Southeast facing the morning sun, allowing the grapes to ripen early in the Red Mountain AVA resulting in intense and extremely concentrated wines.
The grapes in our 2016 Red Mountain Cuvée were cold-soaked for two days followed by seven days of primary fermentation in stainless steel. They were then barreled down into French oak barrels. The steps taken from harvest to blending resulted in a new-world nod to classic right-bank Bordeaux wines. In the glass, it presents a dark purple color and opens with aromas of raspberries, dark cherry compote, bramble, and earth. Intense flavors of blackberry and pomegranate follow and are joined by plum, dark cherries, and firm tannins. The long finish features lingering dark fruits with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate making it the perfect partner for a hearty fall meal. This is an age-worthy wine that will evolve beautifully for years to come!
2017 Zinfandel
Horse Heaven Hills
Our 2017 Zinfandel is a Patterson Cellars first that will also be an exclusive wine for club members! This wine is made with 97% Zinfandel and 3% Syrah sourced from Alder Ridge Vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation.
Horse Heaven Hills is naturally bound by the Yakima Valley AVA on the northside and the Columbia River on the southside. The Alder Ridge Vineyard consists of bone-dry desert soil that averages four inches of rain per year, making it the perfect climate to grow delicious, fruit-forward Zinfandel.
Once the Zinfandel arrived at the winery it was carefully hand-sorted and fermented in 1.5-ton stainless steel fermenters and pressed earlier than usual to keep the tannins in check and preserve fruitier notes. Once dry, the wine was barreled into French oak and aged for 17 months before blending and bottling.
This wine is a medium purple color in the glass that invites you in with aromas of ripe raspberries and dark cherries followed by hints of sagebrush, thyme, and warm caramel. Flavors of blackberry, tart black cherries, and a touch of bramble flood the mouth backed by smooth, supple tannins, and a finish that tastes of plums with notes of light leather. We could not be more proud and excited for wine club members to taste Patterson Cellars’ take on a classic. Perhaps with a simple burger or herb-crusted pork roast?
2016 Petit Verdot
Walla Walla Valley
Last but certainly not least on this special list, we’d like to tell you a bit about our 2016 Petit Verdot. This wine is made with 100% Petit Verdot and is a perfect example of a powerful wine with a softer side that can be produced with fruit from the Seven Hills Vineyard, one of the first commercial vineyards planted in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Planted in 1980 and expanded in 1989, this vineyard has an elevation of 850 to 1,050 feet, with incredible soil and air drainage. Seven Hills Vineyard is one of the most technologically advanced in the industry, ensuring that the fruit reaches the highest quality it can. Fruit from this vineyard is generally soft and supple, making it the perfect place to cultivate a usually tannic and unforgiving grape.
After the fruit was crushed during the 2016 harvest, it was cold-soaked for two days prior to inoculation. Fermentation was done in stainless steel bins for nine days. The wine was then barreled down into 100% French oak and racked once during aging. This wine was bottled in May 2018 and we are so excited for you to taste it! It opens with classic aromas of violets and dusty lavender joined by notes of vanilla, almond extract, and sage. Ripe plums, dark cherries, and marionberries dominate the intense flavor profile and smooth, fine tannins along with a lush mouthfeel eventually give way to a finish of lingering dark fruits and flowers. Pair this beauty with salty cheeses or grilled chicken thighs to bring out the best in both.
We’ve made it to the end–are you ready to sip on a glass of Patterson Cellars red wine in celebration of National Red Wine Day and the upcoming releases of these beautiful wines? Join the Patterson Cellars wine club today and get your hands on these top-tier selections. We’d love to welcome you as part of the family!