Baer Winery "Ursa" Columbia Valley - 2016 (750ml)

The 2016 Ursa is equal parts Merlot and Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Malbec, all from Stillwater Creek vineyard. This wine was raised in 42% new French oak barrels - mainly Sylvain, Demptos and Atelier coopers- for 21 months. We bottled this blend in July of 2018 and have been aging it in bottle for another 20 months. I'm really pleased with how this wine has come together with harmony and seamlessness. The fruit character is ripe red stone fruit, plums and cherries but there is a savoriness like roasted red bell peppers, smoky off the grill and something cooling and herbal that reminds me of bay leaf or fennel. The 2016 reds are not as bold and opulent as the 2015 vintage. This vintage of Ursa is a little more subtle, more understated than last vintage but with a kind of refinement that I think is a hallmark of the Baer style.
Winemaker's Notes