Stella Maris - Columbia Valley Red Wine 2002

Tasting Note
A well-balanced, approachable Bordeaux blend layered with attractive, ripe plum, cherry and black currant flavors and notes of vanilla, cloves and chocolate. The addition of Malbec gives this wine a lush mouthfeel and contributes to the generous finish.
Acclaim
90 Points - Wine & Spirits (2001 Vintage)
Vintage
The 2002 growing season started out cool, then warm temperatures in the high 90s put the crop ahead of schedule in some areas. Harvest began in early September. Cool weather hit in late September, slowing down activity and allowing fruit to mature and intensify flavors. Fruit characterized by small berries and well-balanced flavors contributed to the state’s fifth straight outstanding vintage.
Vineyards
Our winemakers and Jed Steele selected Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec from the best vineyards in the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley. Vines are 5 to 20 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum. Fruit from the vines of eight different vineyards and 12 individual blocks contribute to the final blend.
Winemaking
Ripe grapes are destemmed and crushed, leaving 25% whole berries intact, then inoculated with Premier Cuvée yeast. Individual lots were fermented separately in fermenters and the cap was integrated twice a day to extract flavor, color and tannins. Fermentation on the skins lasted six days. After primary fermentation, the wine was racked into barrels for integration and mellowing of tannins. Aged for 18 months in primarily French and some American oak, using mostly new and some one-year-old barrels. Individual lots were racked every three months for clarity for a total of six rackings.
Technical Data
Total acidity 0.58 g/100ml pH 3.89 Alcohol 14.4% Bottling date July 2004 Blend 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 5% Malbec