Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, roasted duck, rosemary-infused beef tenderloin
✨ Technical Specifications
Fidelitas Merlot is a powerful expression of Washington State's celebrated Red Mountain AVA, where winemaker Charlie Hoppes utilizes the region's intense heat and unique terroir to craft a remarkably structured red wine. Unlike the softer, more approachable Merlots of cooler climates, Red Mountain's fierce winds, high diurnal temperature swings, and gravelly, calcium-rich soils force the Merlot grapes to develop thick skins. This results in a wine of deep concentration, robust tannins, and vibrant acidity. Hoppes' deep connection to the Columbia Valley—honed during his tenure at landmark estates like Chateau Ste. Michelle—shines through in this bottling, which showcases the dark fruit, cocoa, and mineral complexity that have made Washington Merlot a world-class contender.
🍾 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