2010 Novelty Hill Royal Slope Red

Winery Notes: A medium-bodied wine with delicious layers of inviting fresh blackberry, ripe plum and a hint of clove woven around a black cherry core that coats the palate and echoes across a finish that lasts.

Mike Januik, Winemaker

Vintage: While the 2010 growing season was a bit cooler than is typical of the Columbia Valley, the vintage produced excellent wines with outstanding color, flavor and varietal character. In fact, many winemakers have compared it to Washington State’s acclaimed 1999 vintage. Like ’99, 2010 spring temperatures were moderate and stayed that way through the summer and early fall; but the warm weather arrived in September in time to finish ripening the grapes and produce delicious, balanced wines loaded with fresh aromas and flavors.

Vineyards: Novelty Hill’s family-owned estate vineyard, Stillwater Creek on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills, grew almost 90% of the grapes used in this delicious blend. First planted in 2000, the site has quickly distinguished itself as one of the most exciting new Columbia Valley vineyards of the last decade.

Winemaking

Twice-daily pumpovers gently extracted color and flavor from the grapes during the early stages of fermentation. Fermentation finished in barrels to integrate the fruit and oak. Gravity racked to soften and clarify the wine. Aged 21 months in half new, half used oak barrels; 65% French oak, 35% American oak barrels

Blend 37% Merlot; 23% Syrah; 18% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Sangiovese; 5% Petit Verdot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 3% Grenache

Total Production: 4,900 cases

Alcohol: 14.4%

pH: 3.75

Total Acidity: 0.55 grams/100 mL