Mercer Wines the Foundation of Horse Heaven Hills

You might have remembered Horse Heaven Hills a topic me and Lori discussed on Winephabet Street. We just touched on the Mercer’s who were really the developers of the Horse Heaven Hills wine region. The Mercer family planted the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Now a little more background and introduction to the Mercer wine brand.

It all began in 1747 when Hugh Mercer, a Scottish Highlander came to the United States. He died in the Revolutionary war and left behind five children. One of the offspring of those five children were Willis Mercer who headed west in 1886 and settled in Prosser, a town in the Washington Territory which then became Washington State. They began by herding sheep, lamb and growing row crops. In 1958 the family operation grows and Mercer Ranches is incorporated.

In 1972 Don and Linda Mercer became the first grape growers in Horse Heaven Hills. They planted Cabernet Sauvignon in Block 1, and this Block will later become Champoux Vineyard.

The first vintage produced by Mercer was in 2005, when they produced a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Today they oversee 2000 acres of vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and produce four distinct labels with the Eagle & Plow dedicated solely to charity as a result of 911.

Eagle & Plow

Eagle & Plow was created as a result of the devastation of 911. Mercer Estates’ Vineyard Manager, John Derrick lost his best friend on Flight 93 and Rob Mercer, owner of Mercer Estates who served as a captain in the US Marine Corps reenlisted, leaving his young family behind and served in Iraq. When he returned, Rob and John planted a special vineyard - BLOCK 93 - on the Mercer Farm to serve as a memorial for fallen heroes and a means to give back to programs that benefit those who served and suffered. 911 vines were hand planted in BLOCK 93 of the Cavalie Vineyard. Eagle & Plow BLOCK 93 Cabernet Sauvignon was born and 100% of the revenues from this wine are donated to charities that serve American servicemen and women, their families and survivors of tragic events.

Mercer Canyons

The Mercer Canyons label honors the history the Mercer family brings to the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The grapes are sourced from their estate vineyards and reasonably priced between $10 and $14.

Mercer Reserves

The Mercer Reserves are produced from the best vineyard block and barrels. They are pressed using a gentler basket system and are aged in new French Oak. Mostly reds in this lot with one white, a Chardonnay. Prices range from $32 to $42

Mercer Estates

Mercer Estate wines are produced from Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Valley. There are 17 wines in this portfolio ranging in price from $12 to $32. I had the opportunity to taste three of the wines from this portfolio. I have to apologize, I am a bit late with this tasting as the wines were sent to me as a sample this time last year. However, this shows how well the wines age, yes, even the Sauvignon Blanc.

2015 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Sauvignon Blanc - I generally think to drink Sauvignon Blanc young, within a year of it being produced. I was skeptical opening up a 3 year old Sauvignon Blanc and I was taken a back on how delightful it was. Notes of fresh cut grass, lime zest an passion fruit filled the glass. One sip with pineapple, pink grapefruit and tropical fruit had me smiling. The wine is not overly acidic, clean and crisp and just a delight to sip on. The grapes come from the Princeton Vineyard and the wine retails for $15

2015 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Sharp Sisters is a red blend consisting of 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 18% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Grenache and 2% Carignane. The color of the wine was extremely dark and full of ripe dark fruit. Soft tannins makes this wine elegant yet the fruit forwardness of the ripe blackberries, plums and other dark fruit make it striking.

The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged in French and American oak where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine was aged for 18 months in barrel separately then blended together and bottled. It retails for $22.99 I had paired it with a ribeye and it was a bit to overpowering for it.

2015 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Malbec is a blend of 78% Malbec and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon from their Cabinet Vineyard. The wine was fermented in oak upright tanks. After fermentation the wine was aged for 18 months in new and old French oak barrels, then blended together. Aromas of cigar ash, black cherry, plum, and black cherry and a hint of earthiness escape from the glass. Your palate is filled with black cherry, plum, subtle tannins and finishes with hints of baking spices.

Wines of Washington Dinner

Right in my backyard is the Culinary Institute of America. So many people don’t take advantage of events and activities in their own backyard. I think that will be my theme this week. In Your Backyard.

March 26^th the Culinary Institute of America hosted a “Wines of Washington” Dinner. We started out the evening in the Danny Kaye Theatre for a lecture and tasting and then moved on to the American Bounty for dinner.

The presenter was Josh Maloney who is the Red Wine Maker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Ironically enough Josh began his career in winemaking at Heron Hill Winery in the Finger Lakes.

Most of the wineries in Washington State are located east of the Cascades where the climate is dry and they have sandy soils. During the summer months the sun doesn’t begin to set until 10pm.

Chateau Ste. Michelle harvests their whites at night and get the grapes into the press when cold. They will harvest whites from 3am until 2pm at that time they will begin to harvest reds. The wineries of Chateau St. Michelle all have different specialties too. For example, Norhtstar focuses on Merlot while all red wines are made at Canoe Ridge.

The evening started off with us tasting 6 wines. 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates, Columbia Valley Chardonnay. This was buttery and smooth. Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyards 2005 Columbia Valley Chardonnay was nest. This wine was heavy, had a bit of chewiness to it. Beautiful golden yellow color with brown sugar on the nose. We now moved to the reds. 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells District, Columbia Valley Merlot. This was fruity, jammy and had a toasty finish. Chateau Ste. Michelle,2005 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley was next. This nose had a slight hint of Syrah and that’s because there is 9% Syrah blinded into it. The last two wines of the tasting were a 2006 Canoe Ridge, Horse Havens Hills Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Northstar Columbia Valley.

Then we were off to dinner at the American Bounty, which is one of my favorite restaurants at the CIA. We dined on Salad with Jumbo Crab, paired with a 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Vineyards. Roast King Salmon paired with 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells District Chardonnay. The main course was a slowly simmered Short Ribs paired with 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot. This Merlot stood up very well with the short ribs. Then dessert….Vanilla Panna Cotta paired with 2005 Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills. The Chenin Blanc whet very well with the Panna Cotta. I am not much of a sweet, dessert wine person, but it is growing on me.