Hedges Family Estate 'Red Mountain', Columbia Valley, USA 2020
Tasting Notes: Dark reddish berries, cinnamon bark, cassis, fresh rosemary, holiday spice, vanilla, cocoa and a touch of cardamom and baker’s chocolate. Very long and structured palate with layers of flavor from dark bramble fruits, vanilla, mixed spice, a touch of cacao and tamarind. Nicely textured and elegant, yet powerful.
Production: Grapes are from Red Mountain AVA vineyards within a two-mile radius of the winery: Hedges, Bel’ Villa, Les Gosses and Jolet. 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% is currently barrel aging in 44% new oak, American (54%) and French oak (46%).
"The 2020 Red Mountain is based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 9% Syrah, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, all from Red Mountain. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a Bordeaux-like bouquet of red and black currants, smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, and dried herbs. This meaty, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated red has good mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and outstanding length." Jeb Dunnuck 91