September 2016 Domestic Wine: 2012 Hedges Family Estate ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot, Columbia Valley-Washington State
fine Wine Source Wine Club
September 2016
Hedges Family Estate: The history of the Hedges Family Estate began in June of 1976 with the marriage of Tom Hedges and Anne-Marie Liegeois in a 12th century church in Champagne, France. The convergence of separate cultural upbringings provides a strong backdrop for creating a modern day, but traditionally inspired wine estate. In 1986, Tom & Anne-Marie created an export company, American Wine Trade, leading to a negociant-inspired wine called ‘Hedges Cellars.’ They quickly learned that the success of this ancient trade would be based on the site of its vineyards; a developing wine region called Red Mountain. At this location, American Wine Trade transformed itself from negociant & wine trader to the classic model of a wine estate. The second generation of the Hedges Family Estate belongs to Tom & Anne-Marie’s children. Sarah is the head winemaker of the estate, doing her best to express the terroir with minimal intervention, while Christophe is working on the completion of the estate using modern biodynamic arts. Tom, Anne-Marie, Sarah, Christophe, and the entire Hedges team believe place of origin is the keystone of authenticity: Their goal is to treat the wines with reverence and let the Red Mountain terroir, fruit, and wines speak for themselves.
About: 2012 was an excellent & more normal vintage in Washington State, probably one of the top 5 vintages over the last 30 years! The fading La Nina current brought warm and more even spring & summer temperatures and an extended warm, dry autumn with perfect 80-85 degree afternoons and 40-50 degree night temperatures without rain. The result was a great set that yielded ripe, disease free fruit with good natural acidity. Fruit for this merlot was sourced from Bacchus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA. The must was pumped over for 8 days and pressed to tank, where it underwent malo-lactic fermentation. The wine was fermented to dryness on 100% American Oak and aged on 100% French Oak, making it ready to drink now; however, with a structure to age for 3-7 more years.
Varietals: 100% Merlot from Bacchus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasting Notes: Aromas of caramel covered cherries, blackberries, and toast with hints of cocoa dust, vanilla, and tar. This wine has a soft, sweet entry on the palate, evolving into caramel toasty and sweet plums on the full mid-palate. There is good acidity and the long finish has some grip & lingering tannin.
Food Pairings: Tender, milder cuts of beef such as tenderloin or lamb, meaty fish like salmon or tuna, black olives, mushrooms or fresh herb based dishes.
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts: Rich, deep, and savory!! Layers of complexity best enjoyed with beef or chicken.