Structure Cellars, Yakima Valley (Columbia Valley, Washington) Merlot 2021

 Structure Cellars’ Winemaker, Brian Grasso, has spent the better part of a decade sourcing fruit from Eastern Washington, trucking it over the Cascades to Seattle, and making powerful wines.  His personal relationships with top-tier vineyards enables him to source key fruit — the first key to making great wine.  Built around varietal profiles, Structure’s Foundation series is designed to show what Washington fruit can produce.  Washington fruit is known for its power and this Merlot has the power knob turned up.  In addition to classic red plum, red licorice, and vanilla Structure’s Foundation Merlot shows tart cranberry, orange blossom, and candied strawberries.  This Merlot is made to enjoy young with all its youthful power but do give it some air — even 30 minutes should suffice.