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
Fidélitas was founded in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, formerly the head red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Joined by his son Will Hoppes, the winery embodies an unyielding dedication to Bordeaux grape varieties cultivated exclusively within Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Situated on warm, southwest-facing slopes, the region's intense sunlight, fierce winds, poor gravelly loam soils, and profound diurnal temperature fluctuations foster thick-skinned berries with formidable concentration and natural acidity. The estate vineyard, first planted in 2008 and farmed sustainably with Sustainable WA certification, is complemented by premier fruit partnerships with iconic sites such as Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence. Winemaking employs micro-lot fermentations in oak and neutral barrels, yielding structured, deeply expressive wines. The estate's benchmark portfolio is anchored by the flagship Optu Red and Optu White blends, vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons, and varietal Malbecs.
🍇 Grapes
Merlot