2020 LONG HAUL

The 2020 Long Haul is composed primarily of merlot from Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun vineyards on Red Mountain combined with merlot from Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun are two of the oldest vineyards on Red Mountain. These older vines produce small clusters with intensely flavored berries. Seventy miles to the west of Red Mountain, the vines at Red Willow have an average age of 25 years and are planted on ancient soils above the deposition of the Missoula floods. Red Willow merlot oers a savory aromatic profile with complex depth and power on the palate. The weather in 2020 was on the warm side, with elevated temperatures during July, August, and early September. This weather pattern accelerated ripening and harvest began more than a week ahead of schedule. The wine was fermented in a combination of 1.5, 2 and 5 ton open top fermenters for 7-10 days and was then lightly pressed to barrel, where it finished primary and malolactic fermentation and was aged for 21 months in 54% new French oak.