Tasting NotesCHC MERLOT 2010

1319 11th Street · Bellingham, Wa 98225 · 360.389.0884 · www.coachhousecellars.com

VARIETALS: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINEYARD: Walla Walla: Lowden Hills · Yakima Valley: Sheridan,

Elephant Mountain, Copeland Vineyard

BARRELS: 50% New French, Hungarian, American Oak 50% · Once �lled

French Oak

AGED: 21 months in 80% once �lled, 20% new French Oak barrels.

TIME IN BARREL: 20 Months

CASES PRODUCED: 170 Cases on May 31, 2012

CELLARING: Drink now...will continue to improve

WINE MAKER’S TASTING NOTES:After what could be called a bumper crop in 2009, 2010 started typically enough, but as the growing season progressed, temperatures cooled and wet weather moved in pushingharvest closer and closer to �rst frost. Vineyard managers began reducing crop loads and lea�ng the vines to aid in ripening. Crop loads were reduced to the point where we were forced to �nd additional sources of fruit. �e good news is that we partnered with some fantastic vineyards and were able to bring in several small lots of nicely concentrated fruit forward grapes with slightly lower sugar yielding well balanced yet complex wines.

�e mixture of four vineyards with ranging soils, altitudes and temperature patterns combined to bring good depth to our 2010 Merlot while maintaining varietal speci�c purity. With a push of bing cherry and strawberry in the beginning a soft elegant mid pallet is �nished with a lingering hint of chocolate.