Champoux Vineyard Merlot
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused beef tenderloin
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from one of Washington State’s most legendary sites, the JM Cellars Champoux Vineyard Merlot pays homage to the world-class terroir of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Originally planted in 1972 and later championed by the iconic grower Paul Champoux, this vineyard is revered for producing fruit of extraordinary concentration and structural integrity. The vineyard's proximity to the Columbia River provides a tempering effect against extreme temperatures, while persistent winds thicken grape skins, yielding deep color and robust tannins. JM Cellars coaxes a sophisticated expression from this fruit, balancing Merlot's natural plushness with the distinct dusty minerality and structured backbone characteristic of Champoux terroir. The resulting wine is a masterclass in Washington Merlot, marrying rich dark fruit with refined complexity.
🍾 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.