It is mid-November, and another year is almost gone. Fall is in full swing and the snow-capped Blue Mountains are a clear sign winter is just around the corner.

Our 2020 fall kicked off milder than normal, but yet again we experienced freezing temperatures in the third week of October. All of our precious fruit was picked prior to the freeze and our distinct lots came in at optimal ripeness. Similar to last year, we endured a compressed season, and smoky conditions from the wildfires, but for the most part had ideal temperatures for ripening in September and in the beginning of October. So far every block is showing beautifully, developing true character and building a firm foundation.

It is always a satisfying feeling to put another vintage “to bed” and our vibrant red wines are being barreled down (a term to demonstrate wine being transferred to barrels). We carefully select the proper oak to integrate with each specific lot to display genuine varietal characteristics. These young wines will age in mostly second and third fill French oak barrels, with a significant portion being new barrels. The new wood will provide freshness, complexity and color to the wine’s profile, while generating subtle yet fascinating layers between the fruit flavors.

Our expressive whites are completing their long, slow, cool fermentation and are showing bright and vivid nuances at this time. They will remain on the lees for another month or two before they are bottled earlyin the New Year. One of the striking whites from this vintage is the Old Vine Chenin Blanc from McKinley Springs Vineyard. This majority of this “Steen” fermented all in stainless steel, with a small portion finishing fermentation in barrel, to create beautiful texture, roundness and diversity in the end result. I am excitedto see how this “Chenin” will age over time.

In your December shipment you will receive an expressive and intriguing 2018 Carménère and a complex and balanced Merriment from the 2017 vintage.

The Carménère, our own “lost grape of Bordeaux” is showing elegantly at this moment with ample yet modest tannins. It can definitely lay down for another 5-7 years in your cellar. The structured Merriment holds firmer tannin and acidity and will mature gracefully for at least another decade. The following food pairings will enhance these wines even more:

2018 Carménère - pasture raised grilled pork chops with peppers

2017 Merriment - rosemary-infused lamb burger with duck egg

From our entire team here at Basel Cellars, we would like to thank you for your loyalty and continued support and we wish you a festive holiday season and a prosperous 2021! We look forward visiting with you in the New Year.
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Cheers!
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All the best,
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Dirk

Our 2017 Merriment is a true representation of the best we have to offer from our unique Bordeaux range in our cellar. A cooler season delivered bright and expressive fruit well supported by beautiful acidity. This exceptional cuvée is yet again comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These one-of-a-kind lots matured in 100% French Oak, with only 56% new oak selected for the final blend, providing outstanding complexity, structure and balance.

Striking notes of red fruit are clear on the aroma. Raspberry, dried strawberry, ripe cherry and plum will linger on the bouquet. Blue fruit, with notes of blueberry,currant and blackberry will come to life after a few minutes. A floral and perfumy note of lavender will be a surprising element behind the fruit. The initial mouthfeel is supple and round, with ripe and dark berries blending well with balanced acidity and generous tannin, providing this wine with great aging potential. A fusion of brambly flavors and toasty oak delivers extraordinary integration.

Our flagship wine will pair well with roasted veal, an aged parmesan or a rosemary infused lamb burger with duck egg. Cheers!

Our 2018 Carménère was sourced from a unique site at Phinny Hill vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. Rooted in well-drained, flinty and rocky soil, on a south facing hill side, this vibrant and young block delivered intense, expressive and peppery fruit from the beginning. A slow and controlled fermentation, coupled with a moderate but definite extended maceration provided excellent balance and mouth feel in this wine. We decided to mature this elegant wine in subtle French oak and prominent American oak, to create beautiful texture and complexity.

This wine will exhibit nuances of white pepper, leather and cured meats on the pleasing aroma. Alluring tones of anise, warm cedar and tobacco leaf will create an attractive accent on the bouquet. Beautiful fruit-driven notes of dark berry , dried cranberry and overripe cherry will showcase the exceptional layers and diversity in the mid -palate.

The mouth feel is silky, round and soft, exploding with ripe berry fruits and subtle oak. Surprising hints of mocha and fine coffee bean creates an extended finish,complimented well by modest tannin.

This limited release can for sure be enjoyed by itself, but will be even more pronounced when paired with roasted eggplant, a bacon and blue cheese salad or grilled pork chops with peppers. Enjoy!