Hop Into Spring 4-Pack

Without the many rivers, particularly the Yakima, much of Eastern Washington would remain dry and barren. However, these mighty and majestic rivers make it possible for Washington to produce the grapes for some of the finest wines in the world. Eridanus is the constellation in the sky that is called the River of Stars and it pays tribute to these nurturing waterways.

The Eridanus itself is a Bordeaux-style blend, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. While it has the elegance and grace of Bordeaux, it also packs the powerful punch of New World winemaking, making it a beautiful hybrid. The result is truly stunning.

Eridanus displays the personal vision of Empyrean Wines by offering full New World fruit that is not sugary or overpowered by oak. Eridanus looks to be an extremely food-friendly wine, and is bright and fresh in the glass, with not a hint of browning or oxidation. We chose to let the wine be individual and speak for itself, and it is doing just that. 

Blend: Merlot (52%), Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc (3%)

ABV: 13.5%

AVA: Columbia Valley, Washington State

"Rich and complex aromas of blackberry and cedar with juicy berry notes on the palate and a long silky finish with polished tannins completes a wine that fights above its weight class.   The 2020 harvest was generous and very balanced creating the perfect growing conditions for this rich, savory, and juicy Bordeaux-styled blend.” - David O’Reilly, Winemaker

Hook & Ladder Russian River Zinfandel 2018

Our Zinfandel is grown in the heart of the Russian River Valley, an area known for producing outstanding Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. Coastal fog blankets our fruit almost every morning and evening which allows our Zinfandel to develop its deep character. The 2018 growing season allowed for an even ripening with dense and complex fruit maturity and rich flavors. The acid retention of this Zinfandel on the vine made for a truly balanced wine.

The wine displays fragrant aromas of mentholated blackberry and sandalwood, while fully developed flavors of black currant, dusty cacao, cinnamon arise from this wine’s succulent palate. Enjoy with beef, lamb, and poultry.

"Totally enjoyable Zin. The nose is black cherry and softwood. Very easy drinking and obviously well made! Recommended!" - Darren S. via Vivino

2016 LEEUWIN ESTATE PRELUDE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON

WINEMAKER: Tim Lovett
REGION: Margaret River, Western Australia
VARIETALS: Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (5%), Malbec (4%)
MATURATION: 20 months in French oak barriques
ANALYSIS:  13.5% alc/vol  |  7.01 g/L TA  |  3.40 pH  

VINTAGE: Winter and spring rainfall was well below average. Spring was generally fine with good conditions for flowering through November. January and February temperatures were slightly above average, with only several non-concurrent hot days. A welcome, significant 90 mm of rain fell in January, setting up unirrigated vineyards for the remainder of the season. March and April temperatures were close to average; reflected in the slowing down of ripening over mid/late vintage. One of the best all round vintages seen.

WINEMAKING: After berry sorting and cold soaking, fermentation took place in closed and open fermenters and each individual lot was pumped over three times daily. Malolactic fermentation was completed in French Bordelaise coopered barriques. After nine months the separate parcels were blended and returned to oak for further maturation. Racking took place seasonally and the wine spent a total of 20 months in oak.  

TASTING NOTES: Vibrant and perfumed with an abundance of dark cherries and blackcurrants, lifted notes of dried lavender, bay leaf, camphor, cumin and clove lie in sequence. Concentrated and dense, the pedigree of the fruit is evident. Layers of dark currants, cherries and Satsuma plums weave between notes of dark chocolate, coffee bean, olive and cassia. A finely laced acid structure draws all components together leading to a seamless graphite finish.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM: 92 pts Wine & Spirits

ABOUT LEEUWIN: After an extensive search in 1972 for the most suitable premium viticultural area in Australia, Robert Mondavi singled out the future site of Leeuwin Estate. Thrust into the international spotlight when their 1980 Art Series was awarded Decanter’s highest recommendation, the Estate has since performed with stellar consistency, the Horgan family defending their position as one of Australia’s leading wineries.

Pinot Noir | Signature Selection v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Russian River Valley Sources:
Pinot Noir grown in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is regularly influenced by the coastal influence and this natural nighttime air-conditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season while retaining the all-important acidity.

The 2018 vintage brought plenty of rain to the vineyards. Perfect growing conditions followed during summer with even heat and a great ripening environment providing extended ripening. The grapes were harvested mid-September and the vintage brought medium tannins as well as higher levels of aromatics and flavors.

Winemaking:
Destemmed and crushed grapes go to temperature-controlled fermenters for 5 days of cold soaking at ~50F (pre-fermentation) with a daily pump over for extraction of color, aromatics, and tannins. Once fermentation begins we keep the tanks at ~75F to better extract the aromatics of the Pinot Noir fruit, and we have a regime of three pump-overs a day to achieve the right extraction, until dry. Once pressed and sent to storage tanks the young wine is later moved to barrels for aging. The round and polished texture of this wine comes not only from the high-quality fruit but also judicious use of oak—the wine was aged for 9 months in small French oak barrels with 25% new oak.

Tasting Notes: 
Aromas of rose petals, pomegranate, and a touch of nutmeg greet the nose. A light and velvety body embrace the hints of strawberry and black plum fruit with toasted oak notes. On the finish, lingering fruit and spice are balanced with bright acidity and mild tannins. An elegant and tasteful Pinot Noir.

APPELLATION: Russian River Valley
BARREL AGING: 9 months in French Oak barrels
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
pH: 3.66
TOTAL ACIDITY: .615g/100ml

Carhill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2019

The 2019 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley was sourced from the estate of Yamhill Valley Vineyards, the oldest winery in the McMinnville AVA. The block used for the Carhill Pinot Gris comes from the upper slopes of a 4-acre lot that was planted in 1985 and receives a good amount of sunlight given its high elevation and south-facing position, but also a cool wind that allows the grapes to retain high levels of natural acidity. 

The Pinot Gris was hand-harvested and directly pressed into a large stainless steel tank. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation (MLF) which creates a crisp, dry wine with nicely floral aromatics.

“The mission of Carhill Cellars is to raise money for cancer research and we are doing so by crafting high-quality wines from Oregon and dedicating 100% of the profits to this mission.” - Kevin Simback of Carhill Cellars 

Jigar Peters Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Peters Vineyard has the oldest Chardonnay vines planted in western Sonoma County. Located 10 miles from the ocean, the vines thrive in the restrictive Goldridge Sandy Loam soil. The grapes have time to develop a plethora of complex flavors and aromatics due to the extended hand time that can only come from this cool, coastal growing region. 

This delightfully fruit-forward Chardonnay begins to please your senses on the nose with exotic hints of pineapple and guava. It gains depth on the mid-palate before a crisp and clean exploding finish. Pairs beautifully with a spring vegetable salad, mushroom risotto, or a crispy crab cake. 

“Made from grapes grown on a former Gravenstein apple orchard, this white offers perfumed and earthy elements of apple blossom and geranium with a bright lifted midpalate of lemony citrus and pear.” - Wine Enthusiast, 92 Point Review Of the 2015 Jigar Chardonnay

Longboard Vineyards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Our Sauvignon Blanc aims to layer the minerality we love in wines from Europe with the great fruit character we are blessed with within California. We achieve this by fermenting about a ⅓ of the wine in older French oak barrels to gain some weight and a delicate “dusting” of vanilla. When released, the wine shows ample tropical fruit and floral characters. As it ages over the next few years, some honey and apple pie characters will start developing, adding richness and depth to the wine. 

Mouthwatering mid-palate that leads to a very long white peach and pacific grapefruit after taste, plays really well a fresh green salad and your favorite seafood dish. Drink from release to within 6 years. 

“To me, this varietal makes a wine whose flavors most resemble the flavors of fresh grapes at harvest time. When balanced, it also has enough acidity to make it a perfect match with food.” - Oded Shakked, Owner and Winemaker 

WINEMAKER NOTES: 
Chenin Blanc is structured, smooth, and elegant. The Riesling is bright, juicy, and tasty. When they collide, the result is an incredibly delicious and refreshing wine with a fragrant floral nose of elderflower and lush pear and peach flavor on the palate. Recommended pairing: Summer afternoon.

STATS:
Vintage: 2016
Varietal Composition:
Chenin Blanc
Riesling
Alcohol: 12.5%
pH: 3.36
TA: 5.6 g/L

BRAND:
Every varietal is different, with their own quirks and charms. Often we don't just have one favorite. Each TORN wine is a blend of two varietals so next time you're stuck deciding between grapes, grab a bottle of TORN and you've got the best of both worlds.