2020 Red Mountain Sérendipité

Silver, 2024 Pacific Northwest Wine Competition

“Sérendipité” is just that, a serendipitous rule-breaking ad hoc approach we made in a weak moment. We say rule-breaking for a few reasons. While Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant, it features much higher concentrations of Malbec and Petit Verdot than any proper Bordeaux blend would ever tolerate. 

It was not blended afterward, rather it was all barreled together to encourage a more integrated profile. And finally, it was barreled in admittedly aggressive new Pennsylvania oak with a medium+ toast. If these three couldn’t stand up to Pennsylvania oak, no self-respecting grape would have a chance. But it worked.

And just to make sure these three oddballs did play well together we barreled them for an extended period. But guess what? This wine is not overly oaked. 

These varietals basically sat there for 24 months…subject to an unnatural, shotgun wedding. 

This wine has a deep color, but somewhat of a bright component with a translucent rim probably from the dominant Cab. It’s a bit less fruit forward than its individual constituents, but it’s been hanging around the fresh fruit section of the grocery store nonetheless; think cherries, blueberries, and a ripe plum thrown in for good measure.

Sérendipité is dense and structured with a grippiness present particularly on the finish and will surely age well, but not overly tannic. Your goal should be to cellar this for at least 5 years and report back to us.

And regardless, in the end, naming this wine Sérendipité was an easy decision.

Red Mountain AVA
Quintessence Vineyard
Stanton Vineyard

50% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Malbec
25% Petit Verdot