Carmenere
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
roasted pork tenderloin, grilled lamb chops, roasted portobello mushrooms
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The story of Carmenere is one of wine's greatest resurrection tales. Once a key blending grape in Bordeaux, it was virtually wiped out in Europe by the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century, only to be rediscovered decades later masquerading as Merlot in Chile. In the Walla Walla Valley, JM Cellars has embraced this historic 'lost child' of Bordeaux, sourcing fruit from their sustainably farmed estate, Margaret's Vineyard. Here, the grape thrives in the unique terroir of fractured basalt and wind-blown loess soils. The dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of the valley allow the grape to slowly develop its complex flavor profile, balancing its signature savory, herbaceous pyrazine notes of white pepper and green tea with rich, dark plum and cocoa flavors. Crafted in limited quantities, JM Cellars' Carmenere is a testament to the winery's dedication to showcasing the diverse potential of Washington State's premier appellations.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a highly regarded family-owned winery headquartered on a lush, wooded hillside known as Bramble Bump in Woodinville, Washington. The winery is dedicated to crafting limited-production, hand-crafted wines, sourcing premium fruit from top-tier Washington state vineyards—such as Champoux and Stillwater Creek—alongside their own estate, Margaret's Vineyard, located in the Walla Walla Valley. Under sustainable and Salmon-Safe certified practices, JM Cellars produces a diverse and acclaimed portfolio that showcases expressive Bordeaux and Rh$ne-style blends, structured Cabernet Sauvignon, and unique varietals like Carmenere and Cabernet Franc.