2020 Conner Lee Merlot
NEW RELEASE!
100% Merlot from the Conner Lee Vineyard
Black plums, black cherry, dried herbs, and mocha.
Black plums, black cherry, dried herbs, and mocha. Swirling brings blueberry jam, scorched vanilla, and oak spice. The mouthfeel is elegant with remarkable tension, medium to full-body, and a beautiful combination of brambly red and dark fruits. The wine moves extremely well in the mid palate, with very soft texture, medium acidity, and powdery tannins. Extremely well balanced, the finish is mouthwatering and crazy long, with a touch of sweet spices and underlying minerality. Another great Merlot from the famed Conner Lee Vineyard that, even though it is still young, you can enjoy now or in the next 15 years.
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Merlot |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Vineyard | Conner Lee |
| PH | 3.72 |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 148 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | Washington |
Gård Vintners is 100% estate grown sustainably at Lawrence Vineyards in the Royal Slope AVA. Lawrence Vineyards features seven distinct vineyard sites with elevations ranging 930 feet to 1,675 feet. The combination of elevation and south-facing slope provides a great framework for grape production, while the diversity of the seven locations delivers a high level of complexity to Gård wines. Lawrence Vineyards is certified sustainable by Vinewise.org.
MATÍAS KÚSULAS
Winemaker & Viticulturist
A Chilean with Greek roots, Matías was a Marine officer and Naval Engineer in Chile for more than seven years when he realized that it was time to change the course of his career: In 2005, he started studying Agricultural Engineering at the University of Chile, where he graduated with distinction and a major in Viticulture and Enology. He worked in Chile for a few years and in 2011 he decided to start traveling the world on a quest to learn new wine-making techniques. After several harvests in Oceania, Europe and Africa, he settled down in France, to do his post degrees at the Universities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. He also performed for two years as a Maître de Chai for one of the oldest and most reputable wineries in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie.
After years of traveling and over 15 harvests, he came to the United States and joined Gård Vintners/Lawrence Vineyards as a Production Winemaker and Viticulturist, and is currently head winemaker for Gård Vintners, Desert Wind Winery, Valo Cellars, and his own label, Massalto. In his spare time he likes to jump out of planes and is a Judo Black Belt.
