Merlot
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Washington State has long been celebrated as one of the premier regions in the world for Merlot, where the grape achieves a rare balance of power, structure, and vibrant acidity. JM Cellars crafts their Merlot to showcase this distinctive regional character, drawing fruit from acclaimed, sustainably-farmed vineyards such as Stillwater Creek and their estate Margaret's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. In the glass, this wine reflects the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of the Columbia Basin, which allow the grapes to develop deep, concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, and cocoa while retaining a fresh, balanced spine. Aged in French oak, it represents a harmonious marriage of traditional French inspiration and bold Pacific Northwest terroir.
🍾 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.