• French oak
• Blackberry
• Cocoa
• Grippy tannins

"From 100% estate fruit, this Bordeaux influenced blend was aged in a mixture of new and old French and American oak for 12 months. The result is a charming, complex red with a thyme and wild herb nose and nicely weighted cool blackberry and blueberry fruit on the palate. There are grippy tannins that provide structure and a soft black pepper finish. Drinking Window 2017 - 2024" Decanter, Mar 2017

"Dark red. Aromas of currant, blackberry and spicy oak. Bright, tight and a bit streamlined in the mid-palate but with a juiciness to its rather Old World flavours of berries, tobacco and game lifted by spicy high notes. Finishes with slightly dry-edged dusty tannins and good length" Vinous, Nov 2018

Aromas of blackberry jam, dried herbs, sweet clove spice, earthy dark cocoa powder and a touch of toasted vanilla bean. In the mouth this wine is full and leathery, slightly sweet and tart with noticeable tannins that beg for this wine to be paired with a delicious meal. The flavors are dark berry fruit, toast, clove spice and a hint of vanilla and mocha on the long and lingering finish.

With their 31st vintage now in barrel, Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges can look back at their pioneering efforts to help establish the modern Washington State wine industry, and specifically their efforts in establishing the renowned Red Mountain American Viticultural Area. Beginning as negociants selling their first Hedges branded Columbia Valley wine to the Swedish government, the Hedges quickly realized the importance of site for producing great wines, and purchased a fifty-acre parcel on the dusty southwest slope of Red Mountain, a barely known growing region at the time. More than two decades later, Hedges Estate Vineyard, Bel'Villa Vineyard, Les Gosses Vineyard, Magdalena and Rockwell Brown vineyards, comprising about 120 acres on Red Mountain, are the heart of Hedges Family winemaking.

Farmers first, and winemakers second, the Hedges family believes there is nothing more important than expressing the characteristics of
specific vineyards, of capturing Terroir. Anne-Marie grew up in Champagne, France, and is no doubt the messenger of these beliefs, bringing the philosophies of the old world to her new home in eastern Washington State. For more than a decade, the Hedges have chosen not to have their wines scored using numerical values, as they believe this would hinder their pursuit of making wines of soul and truth.

This year was a warm growing season in Washington, with above-average temperatures throughout spring and summer and notably warmer-than-average nighttime temperatures. A dramatic mid-September drop in temperatures extended harvest into early November. Many growers and winemakers reported lower acidities, sometimes markedly so, and in some cases, higher sugar levels.

The wine was destemmed and partially crushed into stainless steel fermenters where it was pumped over twice daily until desired tannin extraction was achieved. It was then pressed to barrels where it underwent malo-lactic fermentation, then racked off lees and 100% barrel aged for 12 months in 31% new American (66%) and French oak (34%).

This wine, like other Red Mountain wines, is best now with food, but will age well, probably peaking in 15-25 more years.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with beef carpaccio served on a parmesan & wild arugula salad.