Stella Maris - Columbia Valley Red Wine 2003

Rich and accessible, this wine combines a supple, smooth structure, typical of the Walla Walla appellation, with the jammy, ripe fruit-forwardness of the Columbia Valley. Concentrated blackberry, blueberry and a hint of dusty malt are featured. This full-bodied wine leads into a velvety-silky finish.

• The 2003 growing season began with a normal bud break-to-bloom cycle in early April.
• Warm, dry and constant weather conditions during the summer months created uniform berry maturation.
• Hot temperatures during the waning days of summer created excellent ripening conditions.
• Modest spells of cooling precipitation in September ensured physiological maturity and flavor development at harvest.

• Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah are sourced from the best vineyard sites within the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley.
• Vines are five to 20 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum.
• The final blend consists of fruit from the vines of seven different vineyard lots. Winemakers selected Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the best vineyards in the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys.
• Vines are 5-20 years old and grow in very deep sandy soils.
• Fruit from eight different vineyard sites and 14 individual lots contribute to the final blend.

• At harvest, grapes were destemmed and crushed leaving 25% whole berries intact.
• Lots were inoculated with Premier Cuvée and Fermirouge yeasts and fermented separately for five days with daily punch downs.
• The wine was racked into barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. Lots were racked at three month intervals for clarity.
• The barrel regime features 60% French oak and 40% American oak with 65% new oak.
• The blend was created after 17 months in the barrel.

• Total acidity 0.66 g/100ml
• pH 3.72
• Alcohol 14.5%
• Blend 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Syrah