J. Bookwalter Readers Merlot, 2021 (Daffodil)

A rich, concentrated Merlot-dominant blend showcasing the intense fruit character of the warm 2021 vintage, structured through precision winemaking and thoughtful oak aging.

Wine Specifications
- Regional Blend:
  - 88% Columbia Valley AVA
  - 12% Wahluke Slope AVA
- Varietal Composition:
  - 76% Merlot
  - 19% Cabernet Sauvignon
  - 5% Malbec
- Production: 1,009 cases
- Technical:
  - Alcohol: 15.0%
  - pH: 3.91
  - TA: 5.04 g/L
  - RS: 2.25 g/L
- Bottled: May 11, 2023

Vineyard Sources
- Bacchus Vineyard (55%)
- Dionysus Vineyard (40%)
- Weinbau Vineyard (5%)

2021 Vintage Notes
- Mild, dry winter
- Early bloom in May
- Record June heat (115°F)
- Steady 90°F summer
- Early harvest
- Small, concentrated crop

Winemaking
- Mixed harvest methods
- Whole berry fermentation
- Multiple extraction techniques
- 10-14 days fermentation at 75-85°F
- 18 months in French oak
- Lees aging
- Sterile filtered

Tasting Profile
- Appearance: Dense crimson
- Aroma: Clove, vanilla, molasses, dark plum, boysenberry jam, root beer, Timothy hay
- Palate: Dark sweet fruit, barrel spice
- Structure: Well-structured, full round mouthfeel
- Finish: Rich, layered with dried black cherry and root beer

Food Pairings
- Duck breast with berry reduction
- Wild game
- Bacon and blue cheese burgers

Keywords: Readers wines, Columbia Valley Merlot, Washington red blend, premium Merlot, Wahluke Slope, food pairing wine