Members are granted exclusive access to our limited production wines, receive invitations to winery events, and enjoy savings on wine purchases throughout the year. We are pleased to present our May wine club shipment wines.
The 2020 growing season began in mid-April with bud break and bloom starting in the 3rd week of May, slightly ahead of average. We had a very wet May creating some shatter in the vineyard, and continued with an abnormally wet June.
July and August were consistently warm without a lot of heat spikes. September brought above-average temperatures creating an abnormally dry month. The warmer September had a smaller than average crop, which helped produce high-quality wines in Walla Walla Valley.
2020 Pentad $85 Retail
Walla Walla Valley
Within Washington State, lies the Walla Walla Valley AVA, with its Bordeaux varietal-friendly climate and soils, along with just the right amount of warmth, and different elevations, make for unique factors which provide excellent sites for growing Bordeaux varietals. Selecting from diverse terroirs within the Walla Walla Valley AVA, using Cabernet Sauvignon from higher elevation shallow soil on top of fractured basalt for structure and our 1980 Cabernet vines, Merlot from the deep soils of the Blue Mountain foothills for lush fruit, Fan trained Malbec and Petit Verdot from McClellan estate for complexity and depth, and Carménère for its lush texture and spicy flavors.
The grapes are gently destemmed and crushed into stainless and oak tanks. Alcoholic fermentation last 8-14 days, then the wine is pressed from the skins and barreled. Each varietal is fermented individually and then 5 of the 6 are blending in the spring and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. Finally, the wine is lightly filtered using the gentle process of membrane filtration. Our Pentad is Vegan, with a minimal amount of SO2 added.
Deep ruby in color with pronounced aromas of black cherry, marionberries and plum with subtle aromas of cigar box, grains of paradise and dark chocolate. Robust body with a lush texture and depth of flavors are led by flavors of black cherry and blackberries with intertwined notes of vanilla bean, leather, dark chocolate and baking spice. Firm tannins carry throughout the wine with supported acidity bring great length to the mouthfeel. Enjoy now through 2035. Pair with rich dishes like roasted leg of lamb over roasted vegetables or walnut-lentil Bolognese.
2020 Ciel du Cheval $65 Retail
Red Mountain
Planted in 1975, Ciel du Cheval is rooted in the core of the esteemed Red Mountain AVA. This wine reflects the power, elegance, and ageability inherent to the storied appellation. A site that offers refreshing contrast to the Walla Walla AVA. 100% from Ciel de Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. Comprised of 41% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cab Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, aged 20 Months in 50% New French Oak, no fining, 1 micron filtered, and Vegan.
This Bordeaux-style blend has a dark garnet hue with cedar box aromas filled with ripe black cherries, plums, and leather, with subtle hints of earth and fresh sage. This powerful wine has rustic and well-integrated tannins with a supple body that supports a palate of ripe black cherry and raspberry, tobacco leaf with hints of dried herbs, and white pepper. This wine will only improve over the next several
years. Enjoy now through 2035. Pair with warm olives, a rustic baguette, and your favorite triple crème brie.
2020 Founding Vineyard Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
The Walla Walla Valley has become an oasis for the classic Bordeaux varietal, offering a unique environment that reliably turns out the fruit that’s teeming with elegance, structure, and personality. The resulting wines not only demonstrate an intriguing element of discovery but solidify our beloved home turf as a premiere New World appellation for Merlot.
September and October brought above average temperatures providing hangtime allowing Merlot to reach ideal ripeness. The smaller crop loads and warmer fall is a recipe for high quality Merlot in Walla Walla Valley. Our Merlot was picked on September 14th and September 18th. This vintage is comprised of 100% Merlot from Seven Hills Winery Founding Vineyard. Open top fermented, aged in 45% new French oak barrels for 20 months. Lightly filtered and Vegan.
Medium ruby color leads you to pronounced aromas of red cherries and black cap raspberries with underlaying notes of cloves, nutmeg and wet earth. A lush but firm mouthfeel with bright acidity, followed by flavors of red cherries, marionberries with hints of cocoa dust, white pepper and cranberries.
This wine pairs will with many foods due to medium body and balanced acidity. Try it will beef bourguignon or New York strip steak. For a non-meat dish try roast acorn squash filled with wild rice. Also try it with some 60% dark chocolate for dessert. Enjoy now through 2030.
For more information or to reorder these wines:
Please contact Julie Titus at julie.titus@sevenhillswinery.com or 509-593-6226
Join us for a Vineyard Tour and Barrel Room Lunch hosted by Seven Hills winemaker Bobby Richards.
Seven Hills Winery club members can pick up their 2024 May Release, taste through wines, nosh on charcuterie, and enjoy live music.
Get ready for a night of Carménère and Carnitas.
March
2020 Petit Verdot
2020 Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon
May
2020 Summit View Vineyard
2021 Malbec
2021 Carménère
November
2021 Ciel du Cheval
2021 Founding Vineyard Merlot
2021 Pentad