Champoux Vineyard Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
The Champoux Vineyard, located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington State, is legendary in Pacific Northwest viticultural history. Originally planted in 1972 as Mercer Ranch, this iconic site gained world-class status under the stewardship of pioneer Paul Champoux. Fidelitas winemaker Charlie Hoppes has long sourced fruit from this revered vineyard to craft a Merlot of exceptional depth and character. The terroir here is defined by wind-blown loess soils and a warm, dry climate tempered by cool breezes from the nearby Columbia River. This unique microclimate allows Merlot to achieve optimal ripeness while maintaining a vibrant backbone of acidity. The resulting wine is a masterclass in balance, showcasing the vineyard's signature dusty tannins, rich dark fruit profile, and an elegant structure shaped by careful aging in premium French oak barrels.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is an artisanal winery dedicated to showcasing the distinct terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. True to the Latin meaning of its name—faithfulness—the estate adheres to a philosophy of unwavering fidelity to grape varietal and vineyard character. Sourcing fruit from premier sites such as Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, and the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, the winery utilizes precise small-lot fermentation and focused oak aging. Fidelitas is celebrated for its powerful, structured, and age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds, most notably its acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, and signature Optu Red blend.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Merlot