Hightower Red Mountain Merlot 2018

Hightower Cellars' gold medal-winning 2018 Merlot continues their Platinum-quality tradition with exceptional balance and complexity. Crafted by Tim and Kelly Hightower from their estate Out of Line Vineyard and E&E Shaw Vineyard fruit, this 93-point Red Mountain gem offers layered blackberry, plum, mocha, and deep cherry notes. With stately yet balanced tannins and thoughtful oak integration from French, Hungarian, and American barrels, this limited 269-case production showcases the Hightowers' signature winemaking style.

Technical Information

• Producer: Hightower Cellars (Tim and Kelly Hightower)
• Appellation: Red Mountain, Washington
• Vintage: 2018
• Varietal: 100% Merlot
• Clones: 14 and 15
• Vineyard Sources: Out of Line Vineyard (estate) and E&E Shaw Vineyard
• Harvest Date: Before September 28
• Production: 269 cases
• Alcohol: 14.7%
• Rating: Gold medal – 93 points
• Oak Program: Blend of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels

Tasting Notes This Merlot offers layers of complexity, ranging from blackberry and plum to mocha, with a deep cherry note that runs underneath and throughout. The tannins are stately yet balanced, achieving the equilibrium long associated with the Hightowers' winemaking program.

Producer Notes Tim and Kelly Hightower have established an impressive track record with their Merlot program, earning Platinum medals in 2020 and 2021, and qualifying for the 2022 judging with this 2018 vintage bottling. Their estate Out of Line Vineyard serves as the foundation for this wine, complemented by fruit from E&E Shaw Vineyard—recently purchased by the Gamble family. The Hightowers' thoughtful barrel selection and blending approach creates wines of complexity and balance that have become their signature style on Red Mountain.