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
28% 2020 Malbec, Columbia Valley
26% 2021 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley
26% 2022 Mourvédre, Columbia Valley
20% 2021 Syrah, Wahluke Slope
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 started off with a blending party. It wasn’t their typical party because it was in the middle of Covid, but 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.
WINEMAKERS
Mike Conway and Natalie Conway-Barnes
TASTING NOTES
These 4 wines blend together beautifully, creating lush, intensely fruity, full- bodied red. Ripe red grapes, purple flowers, and toasted oak on the nose. Dried plum, blackberry, and soft fine leather upon first sip, while espresso and dark chocolate linger.
FOOD PAIRING
Enjoy this wine with grilled meats, robust foods, or heavy pasta dishes, such as Ellena’s Steak Au Poivre recipe in her latest cookbook.
