Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2032
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
Owen Roe's Merlot showcases the exceptional structure and vibrant fruit character that have made Washington State a world-class region for this noble Bordeaux variety. Sourced primarily from premier, high-elevation vineyards in the Yakima Valley—where cool nights preserve natural acidity and warm days develop rich, concentrated flavors—this wine is crafted with minimal intervention. Winemaker David O'Reilly utilizes small-batch fermentation and traditional French oak aging to highlight the grape's natural complexity. Historically, Washington Merlot gained legendary status in the late 20th century, proving that the region's unique terroir could yield a Merlot with the structural backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon combined with the plush, velvety texture characteristic of the variety.
🍾 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