2016 Devona Merlot
Bacchus Vineyard
Columbia Valley
Washington
14.5% alcohol
112 cases produced
Cork closure
Winemaker and owner John Abbott has been working with fruit from this particular vineyard block since 2004! It’s obvious that over the years he has become intimately familiar with the grapes these vines produce and that level of expertise really shows in the wine. I also found this Merlot to be bright, with high levels of acid, not some jammy fruitbomb.
Aged in barrel for 21 months, this wine could be cellared for years if you so choose. If you do want to drink it soon, I highly suggest decanting as the air exposure really helped open it up. Better yet, buy a few bottles and enjoy them over the next 10-15 years.
Color:
Plum red
Bouquet:
Fruity aromas of ripe red and black plums, tart cranberries, red raspberries, combined with savory rosemary. I also detected mineral notes of wet stone and earthy mocha.
Palate:
Lively acidity did the tango with fruit flavors of those red plums, tart cranberries and red raspberries found in the bouquet. The wine had a way of caressing my tongue with its lovely, supple mouthfeel and gentle tannins. The finish was long with notes of chocolate covered cherries.
Food pairing suggestions:
Margherita pizza, grilled chicken kebabs, fig & salami crostini.
SRP $50
Devona wines have limited availability in Oregon and Washington but you can always order wines directly from their website. Sign up for their email list so you can make your purchase.
The winery is located at 700 C Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Devona plans to open another location in Oregon’s Willamette Valley at some point in the future.
Connect with Devona on social media:
Be sure to read our Why Wine? interview with Devona owner/winemaker John Abbott
Don’t miss our tasting notes on other Devona wines:
2015 Devona Cabernet sauvignon
2017 Devona Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay
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About the Author: Michele Francisco
