In 1998, Woodward Canyon Winery began producing wines under a second label, Nelms Road. Nelms Road offers merlot and cabernet sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley and Washington State grapes. It was developed to produce delicious and affordable red wine from young vineyards and declassified Woodward Canyon Winery production. While these wines may be cellared for several years, they are truly ready for enjoyment now. This newest bottling of 2013 Nelms Road Merlot reflects the vintage well and is a great successor to previous vintages. Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard is the predominant vineyard for this 2013 merlot. Add to that some truly phenomenal press wine from some of the oldest and most celebrated vineyards in Washington State and we can produce a truly wonderful merlot year after year. The very warm 2013 vintage gave beautifully ripe yet balanced fruit with deep flavors of black cherry, herb and baking spice. Complex aromas of roasted meat, black olive and tobacco integrate, leading to a soft generous finish. The wine is dark purple in color and though it was bottled early to retain fruit, is quite enjoyable now. This merlot will improve substantially with additional time in bottle and with proper storage should age well for five years or more.