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2002
Hogue Reserve Merlot
(750ml)
[Printable View]
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Producer: |
The Hogue Cellars
hoguecellars.com
details
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| Appellation: |
Columbia Valley - Washington State - United States
(AVA)
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| Type: |
red
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| Varietal: |
Merlot
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| Maturity: |
Drink |
| Rating: |
n/a |
| Est. Price: |
$30.00 |
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Description: |
Reserve |
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Availability:
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Locate a store with
WineZap
Wine-Searcher
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Morrell Wine
www.mywinesdirect.com
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Related Ratings:
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rated
(2006 vintage, 750ml bottle)
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November 7, 2010
,
Sadao Hilario
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"The Hogue Cellars
2006 RESERVE MERLOT
Wahluke Slope, Washington
THE WINE
Our Reserve wines are sourced from the best vineyard lots for aging in our
finest French oak barrels. Washington has gained a well-deserved reputation for
producing Merlots of exceptional quality, and our 2006 Reserve Merlot from
Wahluke Slope will not disappoint fans of the varietal. This is a full-bodied, well
structured wine with concentrated black cherry and ripe blueberry flavors. Cocoa
and cinnamon spice add a pleasing dimension to the long finish. This big, fruit
driven wine is the perfect accompaniment to beef and lamb dishes. Enjoy with
herb-crusted roast beef, rack of lamb or grilled sausages.
THE VINTAGE AND VINEYARDS
Rainy but mild spring weather resulted in ample soil moisture and a healthy start
to the growing season. Fruit set was optimal. Conditions during July and August
were close to ideal, with very warm days and cool nights. Cooler weather in early
September slowed growth, allowing flavors to intensify. The Wahluke Slope is
a windswept incline bordering the Columbia River and the Saddle Mountains
in Eastern Washington. Its gravelly, well-drained soils allow growers to carefully
manage irrigation. Constant winds blow across the slope, keeping the summer
air dry and the vines healthy. This warm, sunny region offers ideal conditions
for ripening Merlot early in the season. The fruit was harvested from the Fries
Vineyard, one of our long-standing sources for the Reserve program. Wines
produced from this site are concentrated and powerful, yet elegantly balanced by
natural acidity and brightness.
THE WINEMAKING
The grapes from these blocks in the Fries Vineyard historically tend to produce
high-tannin wines. To limit the tannins, yet extract maximum color and flavor,
the wine lots were fermented warm and pressed off while tannins were still supple.
The new wines were racked immediately when dry, inoculated for malolactic
fermentation, and barreled down in October 2006. In April 2008, the final blend
was assembled, and the wine was sent to French oak (78% new barrels) for an
additional eight months. It was bottled in January 2009. The wine aged in barrel
for a total of 27 months.
THE NUMBERS
Harvest Date: September 7–9, 2006
Appellation: Wahluke Slope
Varietal Percentage: 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Brix at Harvest: 28.5º
RS: 0.04 g/100 ml
TA: 0.62 g/100 ml
pH: 3.55
Alcohol: 15.4 % by volume
Case Production: 2,094
Please enjoy"
Best 2010-2010
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