DuBrul Vineyard Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused beef tenderloin
✨ Technical Specifications
Sourced from the iconic DuBrul Vineyard in Washington's Yakima Valley, Owen Roe's DuBrul Vineyard Merlot is a masterclass in the heights that Washington Merlot can achieve. Planted in 1992 by Hugh and Kathy Shiels on a steep, south-facing hillside of rocky basalt soils, DuBrul is widely considered one of the state's premier grand cru-level vineyards. The unique terroir, characterized by ancient volcanic soils and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts, imparts a distinctive mineral tension and structural complexity to the grapes. Owen Roe honors this exceptional fruit through minimal-intervention winemaking, employing small-batch fermentations and aging in French oak barrels. The resulting wine is a sophisticated expression of Merlot, offering a harmonious balance of lush dark fruit, refined tannins, and a savory, earth-driven complexity that challenges the traditional boundaries of the varietal.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1999 by winemaker David O'Reilly and Jerry McNally, Owen Roe was established with a mission to craft world-class, terroir-driven wines from the premier vineyard sites of the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of the 17th-century Irish patriot Owen Roe O'Neill, the winery operates estate facilities and sources fruit spanning both Washington's Columbia and Yakima Valleys and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Owen Roe champions a low-intervention winemaking philosophy, utilizing gentle handling and thoughtful oak integration to articulate the distinctive character of esteemed vineyards such as DuBrul, Red Willow, and Union Gap. The producer is widely celebrated for its nuanced single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, alongside popular and characterful blends like Sinister Hand, Ex Umbris, and Abbot's Table.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Merlot