Cedar Almanac
Merlot.

Cedar Almanac 2022 is our fictional expression of Merlot from Columbia Valley. Its tasting profile starts with plum, cocoa, supple tannins. The imagined producer, Cedar Almanac Cellars, works toward a wine that feels at home with food: expressive on the first pour, then more detailed as it settles into the glass. This bottle gives the collection a distinct starting point without asking you to commit your whole case to one style.

A supple middle gives the fruit room to develop, while a measured tannin structure carries the finish. The emphasis is on balance: enough freshness to keep the glass lively, with a savory edge that becomes more apparent as the wine opens.

Small, open-top fermenters and gentle extraction form the imagined cellar approach. A period in mostly neutral French oak rounds the texture without making toast the main event. The aim is to preserve the character of the fruit and let the quieter herbal and earthy notes remain part of the picture.

Serve slightly cool, then allow the wine a little time in the glass. Mushroom dishes, roasted vegetables and lentils with herbs make useful starting points for pairing. For a meal with several courses, keep the flavors savory and the seasoning moderate so the wine has space to show its detail.