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
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
🍷 ABV
14.1-14.9%