2007 Fidelitas Columbia Valley Merlot

WINEMAKERS NOTES

Our 2006 Merlot is sourced from one of Washington States highly sought after growing regions Columbia Valley. The

intense ripe black fruit flavors and mocha leave you with an impressive concentration and richness at the finish

memories in the making.

VINTAGE

A perfect combination of warm summer months, cool autumn temperatures and a mild winter, yield quality grapes rich in

flavor. The moderate winter temperatures allowed grapes the extra hang time needed to develop vibrant aromatic and

crisp acids in the white wines. Concentrated flavors due to smaller berry sizes and cluster weights continued to set 2006

apart as a stand-out quality vintage for yet another year.

VINEYARDS

Conner-Lee Vineyard (38%)

Stillwater Creek (23%)

Weinbau Vineyard (23%)

Goose Ridge Vineyard (12%)

Gamache Vineyard (8%)

Boushey Vineyard (8%)

FERMENTATION AND AGING

All the fruit for the Merlot was hand picked and sorted in the

vineyard. Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit was destemmed and

crushed directly to a small fermentation tank where the wines were

punched down three times daily. Average primary fermentation was

seven days in length. Upon completion of fermentation, the wines

were gently pressed off and were put into barrels immediately. Once

fermentation was complete in barrel, the wine was put through

malolactic fermentation immediately. While aging in oak barrels, the

wines were racked quarterly to naturally clarify the wine.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION

100% Merlot

OAK AGING

The wine was racked to 100% small oak barrels (French and

American) and was barrel-aged for 18 months with four rackings.

TECHNICAL

14.4% alcohol by volume

RELEASE DATE

May 2009