93 Points, Wine & Spirits

90 Points, Wine Enthusiast

This fruit forward blend offers notes of cassis, blackberry, plum, and a kiss of cedar on the lingering finish. Inspired by the valor and strength of heraldic lions, The Conquerer represents a blend of relentless pursuit and refined winemaking. The quest for the finest grapes was realized at Canoe Ridge Vineyard in Washington state's renowned Horse Heaven Hills, where warm days give way to cool nights. Our Winemaker, Bill Murray, has hand-crafted a deeply layered, concentrated wine worthy of cellaring, but is best conquered now.

Perched on a ridge above the Columbia River, the vines are planted on their own roots on a sloping ridge at 425-740 feet in elevation. Here, well-drained sandy loam and basaltic soils allow deep rooting. Cool nights provide ideal temperatures for excellent sugar to acid balance, and low rainfall (about 6-8” annually) translates to excellent flavor concentration. The vineyard’s latitude and south- and north-facing orientations help vines soak up more than 17 hours of sunshine per day at the peak of summer, resulting in rich, fully mature flavors and supple tannins.

Horse Heaven Hills is a 570,000-acre stretch of land located in South Central Washington state along the Columbia River, near the town of Paterson. The AVA was established in 2005.

• Topography:  Mostly south-facing sloped, well-drained sandy soils dotted with dry plains, lending optimal sun exposure for ripening and protective air drainage, ideal in winter months.

• Temperature:  Warmer growing season fully matures grapes earlier in the harvest season (decreasing the risk of fall frost).

• Wind:  Brisk wind patterns contribute to a thinner canopy and more sun exposure that helps with ripening while naturally preventing pests.