Latah Creek Winery Mike's Reserve Red

Read Tasting Notes

Columbia Valley AVA

BACKGROUND
The term Reserve is not taken lightly by Father/daughter winemaking team, Mike and Natalie. Wines selected with this elite designation must exhibit outstanding varietal character and exceptional balance. These wines will age gracefully over the next decade, but don’t be afraid to enjoy them now. They started the Reserve Red program in 2008, with the first release in April 2010. The idea was to give Natalie an opportunity to learn an individual grape intimately, on a small-scale level.

VARIETAL BLEND
48% 2016 Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope
35% 2015 Merlot, Wahluke Slope
9% 2014 Zinfandel, Horse Heaven Hills
8% 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills

WINEMAKING
Every vintage of our Reserve Red is different in varietal makeup. Natalie’s aim is not to make the same blend each year, but to make the best blend each year, no matter the varieties or amounts. This is her favorite part of winemaking: blending. It’s an art form. For this wine, They actually started off with a blending party featuring 50 people, including staff and loyal customers. Each person was given their own set of wines and allowed to create their own blends. After the event, Mike and Natalie sat down with all of the favorites of the night and re- created them. After a few tweaks, they found the one they liked best.

ANALYSIS
Alc.: 13.5%
Bottled: August 7, 2018 | 498 cases | Released: January 2019

WINEMAKERS
Mike Conway and Natalie Conway-Barnes

TASTING NOTES
These 4 wines blend together beautifully, creating lush, intensely fruity, full- bodied red. Freshly sliced strawberries, red grape, and violet entice your nose, while blackberry, more violet, and soft fine leather engulf your entire mouth. Tobacco and dark chocolate linger for a smooth, delicious finish.

FOOD PAIRING
Enjoy this wine with grilled meats, robust foods, or heavy pasta dishes, such as Ellena’s Tuscan Spaghetti alla Puttanesca recipe in her latest cookbook.