Winemaker Notes
Layered aromas of black currant, black cherry and fig swirl around the glass with additional hints of tobacco, leather and vanilla. The lush palate is loaded with red fruits reminiscent of maraschino cherry, raspberry and plum. Subtle notes of nutmeg and cola and a beautiful, balanced acidity carry the wine through its savory and satisfying finish.
Blend: 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Trutina is another terrific wine from this estate. Black cherries, plums, violets, smoky oak, and graphite define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a good mid-palate and outstanding length.
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James Suckling
Notes of dark cherries and blackberries with dried rosemary, walnuts and toast. Medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins and a chalky texture. A little chewy at the end with a nutty finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Trutina is Latin for “balance,” making it a fitting name for this blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is filled with aromas and flavors of black cherries, dark chocolate, lemon, lilacs and cedar. Silky tannins and bright acidity reflect harmony and balance.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A large and geographically diverse AVA capable of producing a wide variety of wine styles, the Columbia Valley AVA is home to 99% of Washington state’s total vineyard area. A small section of the AVA even extends into northern Oregon!
Because of its size, it is necessarily divided into several distinctive sub-AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley—which are both further split into smaller, noteworthy appellations. A region this size will of course have varied microclimates, but on the whole it experiences extreme winters and long, hot, dry summers. Frost is a common risk during winter and spring. The towering Cascade mountain range creates a rain shadow, keeping the valley relatively rain-free throughout the entire year, necessitating irrigation from the Columbia River. The lack of humidity combined with sandy soils allows for vines to be grown on their own rootstock, as phylloxera is not a serious concern.
Red wines make up the majority of production in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety here, where it produces wines with a pleasant balance of dark fruit and herbs. Wines made from Merlot are typically supple, with sweet red fruit and sometimes a hint of chocolate or mint. Syrah tends to be savory and Old-World-leaning, with a wide range of possible fruit flavors and plenty of spice. The most planted white varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. These range in style from citrus and green apple dominant in cooler sites, to riper, fleshier wines with stone fruit flavors coming from the warmer vineyards.