WINE REVIEW: MERCER DEAD CANYON 2009 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
We give 8 check marks to the new release of Mercer Estates Dead Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon: GPs: Great Package, Great Producer, Great Product and Great Price as well as GV's: Great Vintage, Great Variety, Great Vineyard and Great Value.
Annoying, hey? Regardless, we can't say enough. Let's break it down:
Package:
Annoying, hey? Regardless, we can't say enough. Let's break it down:
Package:
I call this dead sexy. Let my Western Canadian bias influence me, but one cannot deny that this is an attractive presentation.
Producer:
One hundred and twenty five years and four generations of farmers in the Horse Heaven Hills, with forty years of grape growing history and experience in the region has firmly established the Mercer family as a benchmark of quality and consistency. Today, Rob and Brenda manage the winery and its operations.
Product:
Eye: Deep purple-ruby. I like to look at it.
Nose: Expressive black cherries, black berries, mild mocha, subtle sauteed bell pepper, tinge of tulip petal. The aromas demonstrate restrained complexity - initially big and pleasing, but with elegance to be found. I like to smell it.
Mouth: Rich but firm, the fruit a little reticent initially, with more of the ashen tannin structure presenting early. Later, more red currant and plum fruit emerged, with a line of acidity betraying its Cabernet origins. Seems to need a little rest, but certainly voluptuous and concentrated. I like to taste it.
Conclusion: Drink Me. Wait for me. Never leave me.
Price: Regularly $21.76 (!!) Currently on sale for $18.57(!!!).
Vintage: 2009 was long and warm, without the heat spikes that Washington summers can bring. This allowed an even but quick ripening, and Mercer was able to pick early. Good news as frost on October 11th wiped out most of the foliage in many Washington vineyards, effectively ending flavour development. Cabernet Sauvignon tended to fare better than any other variety.
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon has long been acknowledged as among the world's great red wine grapes. A sublime combination of structure, acidity, fruit, expression, complexity, longevity... at least in the right places, times and hands.
Vineyard: Horse Heaven Hills - Where most of the Dead Canyon fruit is sourced, the vineyard is unique in that both canyon edges are planted, giving a north and south face. Twenty seven different parcels provide a broad palette of expressions, allowing the Mercers to craft a consistently solid offering.
Value: We mentioned the price before. Quality supersedes our price expectations.
Recommended contexts: Currently it could benefit from a NY Striploin. It will wow at parties as an all 'rounder. Preferable with people you like. Outstanding glass-pour for restaurant wine lists. Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett.
Other info: Blog cross-post w/ Pop'n'Pour Mercer Dead Canyon 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
-Matt Browman
Producer:
One hundred and twenty five years and four generations of farmers in the Horse Heaven Hills, with forty years of grape growing history and experience in the region has firmly established the Mercer family as a benchmark of quality and consistency. Today, Rob and Brenda manage the winery and its operations.
Product:
Eye: Deep purple-ruby. I like to look at it.
Nose: Expressive black cherries, black berries, mild mocha, subtle sauteed bell pepper, tinge of tulip petal. The aromas demonstrate restrained complexity - initially big and pleasing, but with elegance to be found. I like to smell it.
Mouth: Rich but firm, the fruit a little reticent initially, with more of the ashen tannin structure presenting early. Later, more red currant and plum fruit emerged, with a line of acidity betraying its Cabernet origins. Seems to need a little rest, but certainly voluptuous and concentrated. I like to taste it.
Conclusion: Drink Me. Wait for me. Never leave me.
Price: Regularly $21.76 (!!) Currently on sale for $18.57(!!!).
Vintage: 2009 was long and warm, without the heat spikes that Washington summers can bring. This allowed an even but quick ripening, and Mercer was able to pick early. Good news as frost on October 11th wiped out most of the foliage in many Washington vineyards, effectively ending flavour development. Cabernet Sauvignon tended to fare better than any other variety.
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon has long been acknowledged as among the world's great red wine grapes. A sublime combination of structure, acidity, fruit, expression, complexity, longevity... at least in the right places, times and hands.
Vineyard: Horse Heaven Hills - Where most of the Dead Canyon fruit is sourced, the vineyard is unique in that both canyon edges are planted, giving a north and south face. Twenty seven different parcels provide a broad palette of expressions, allowing the Mercers to craft a consistently solid offering.
Value: We mentioned the price before. Quality supersedes our price expectations.
Recommended contexts: Currently it could benefit from a NY Striploin. It will wow at parties as an all 'rounder. Preferable with people you like. Outstanding glass-pour for restaurant wine lists. Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett.
Other info: Blog cross-post w/ Pop'n'Pour Mercer Dead Canyon 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
-Matt Browman
Posted by Highlander Wine Team at 1/20/2012 2:58 PM 
Categories: Wine Reviews
Tags: Mercer Dead Canyon Horse Heaven Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Vintage Wine Matt Browman
Categories: Wine Reviews
Tags: Mercer Dead Canyon Horse Heaven Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Vintage Wine Matt Browman
One of my favorite wines...toss in the economical price tag and we have my 'every day of the week wine.' Love it! Also, what's with the list of country music artists at the end?
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Hi Kyle, The country artists list is suggestions for what to listen to when drinking DC Cab. You should try it!
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