Andrew Will Two Blondes 2019

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Founded by Chris Camarda in the late 1980s, Andrew Will is a family-run winery located in Washington State. The company's name pays homage to Chris's son (Will, who now works alongside Chris at the winery) and grandson (Andrew). Andrew Will Two Blondes is a red blend made primarily from Merlot, with additions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a small percentage of Malbec. The grapes come from the estate's Zillah Washington vineyard, located in the Yakima Valley, in the Columbia Valley wine region of Washington State. The vineyard, planted in 2000, covers approximately 30 acres and is managed by Chris Hoon. Here, the vines are rooted in complex, silty clay soils formed by an aeolian mantle of silty loess over a durpan cemented with lime, silica, and clay. In the glass, the wine reveals a broad and intense aromatic profile with notes of dark forest fruits, hints of tobacco, pepper, and chocolate. On the palate, it is medium-full bodied, concentrated, and balanced with lively acidity and silky tannins. It is plump, energetic, and harmonious, with a long, lingering finish that recalls notes of sweet oak. It is a wine capable of aging elegantly for over a decade, but is ready to be enjoyed now with a filet mignon or beef entrecote.