2017 Seven Hills Winery, Founding Vineyard Merlot, Walla Walla Valley

SHW Founding Vineyard was the first significant Merlot and Cabernet planting in Walla Walla Valley. This land is named not only for its historical importance in the founding of Seven Hills Winery, but also for its critical role in leading the vision and helping shape the viticultural development of the region. These original vines have produced highly regarded Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for more than three decades, and continue to do so today. This wine is drawn from the winery’s original estate founding Merlot blocks planted by the McClellan family in the early 1980s. 2017 marks the 30th year of making Merlot from these same vines.

This vintage shows dark red-black color and enticing aromas of blackberry, dried earth, sweet oak spice and light savory tones. The palate is soft with generous black fruits accentuated by vanilla, floral and spice, dusty earth, and finishing with both bright sweet fruit and firm polished tannins.