Pollard Vineyard Red Blend 2019

Yakima Valley, Washington

Jeb Dunnuck 92 points! Wine Advocate 90 points!

Pollard Vineyard Red Blend is a beautiful red from the Yakima Valley of Washington. Robin Pollard, former executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission and, more importantly a local coffee roaster, returned to the industry she once led with the release of the 2015 Pollard Vineyard Cabernet Franc. Teaming up with her life partner, Chris Camarda of Andrew Will Cellars, Robin seeks to express her high elevation Yakima Valley vineyard though plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit comes from Robin’s 10-acre estate vineyard located in the Upper Yakima Valley, which she purchased in 2014. The vineyard, sitting at 1150 feet on a southwest facing slope, is planted to half Cabernet Franc and one quarter each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes in silt-loam over limestone soils.

The Pollard 2019 Red Blend leads with Merlot followed closely by Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Cabernet Franc. It has a rounded mouthfeel -- balanced and vibrant. Hints of dried cranberry, sage, and green peppercorn come through at the beginning with a fruit leather (think peach) and tobacco finish. A perfect wine for the holidays filled with sweet and savory flavors. The 10-acre vineyard is southwest facing and densely planted on sandy loam over limestone soils. The wine is matured for 18 months in French oak, 20% new. 13.8% alc.

“The 2019 Red Blend checks in as 53% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 16% Cabernet Franc raised in 20% new oak. I loved its nose, and it has a ripe, rich, medium to full-bodied style that brings ripe black cherry fruits, some chocolaty, herbal, minty notes, velvety tannins, and a great finish.”—Jeb Dunnuck 92 points!

Enjoy Pollard Vineyard Red Blend with veal chops, roast pork, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses.