Our Heart Box Red Merlot (center)
"Owner/winemaker Ben Viscon has opened his small winery in West Seattle and has a big hit on his hands with this delicious Merlot. Aromas of cherry cola and black cherry lead to approachable flavors of blackberry, spice and a hint of vanilla. It’s beautifully balanced with bright acidity and plush, elegant tannins. (110 cases; 13% alc.)
Last fall, Washington wineries crushed more than 35,000 tons of Merlot, wine that will be bottled by itself as well as blended with other grapes. This is more than triple the amount made as recently as 1997. And while interest in Merlot has leveled in the past three years, the red Bordeaux grape is still a strong producer."