Old Vines Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused beef tenderloin
✨ Technical Specifications
Fidelitas Old Vines Merlot is a tribute to the deep roots of Washington State viticulture, sourcing fruit from some of the oldest, most respected vineyard tracts in the Columbia Valley, such as the historic blocks of Champoux and Dionysus vineyards. Planted in the late 1970s and early 1980s, these self-rooted ancient vines yield tiny, concentrated berries with thick skins. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes coaxes a remarkably sophisticated expression of Merlot from these sites, balancing the grape's natural plushness with an intense structural backbone and earthy complexity. The wine is typically aged in custom-selected French oak barrels, allowing the dark fruit, cocoa, and refined herbal notes of the old vines to integrate seamlessly with subtle spice.
🍾 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
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14.1-14.9%