Pollard Vineyard Merlot 2021

Yakima Valley, Washington

Pollard Vineyard Merlot 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 2021 Pollard Merlot is an easy drinking wine of medium weight framed with a fine tannin structure. Layers of black cherry and plum accented by cedar and sage give it a very savory taste. A perfect accompaniment to roasted vegetables and red meat. Aged for 18 months in 20% new oak. Only 70 cases produced.

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