2023 Merlot
Reviews
Double Gold, 93 points from Dan Radil with Pacific Northwest Wine Competition
Vineyard
Red Mountain AVA 100%
Out of Line Estate Vineyard
In 2005 we finished planting 10 acres of vineyard: 6 acres planted with 5 clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2½ acres planted with 4 clones of Merlot, and ½ acres of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot – with all of the plant material certified to be free of diseases and pests. Our vineyard rows are canted eleven degrees off of north-south. This orientation more evenly balances the sun exposure on each side of the vine row, increasing the exposure on the east and decreasing it on the west.
Tinte Vineyard (formerly E&E Shaw Vineyard)
Planted in 1995 by Ed and Eve Shaw, Tinte Vineyard has been part of the Hightower story since 1999. Known for its intense color, concentrated dark fruit, and firm tannin structure, this site adds depth and character to our wines. Like every parcel on Red Mountain, it brings its own nuances, shaped by the Worden Silt Loam soils that force the vines to struggle and ultimately focus their energy into the fruit. We are grateful to the Shaws—not only for their vineyard, but also for Eve’s creative touch as the artist behind the original Murray label.
Here at Hightower, we call Merlot the Queen of Wines—and our 2023 vintage wears the crown beautifully. A touch of Petit Verdot brings depth and structure to this elegant yet approachable wine.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Varietal Composition | Merlot 91%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9% |
| Appellation | Red Mountain AVA |
| Vineyard | Out of Line Vineyard 73%, Tinte Vineyard 27% |
| Residual Sugar | <0.1g/L |
| Alcohol | 14.40% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 05/14/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 261 |
Double Gold, 93 points from Dan Radil with Pacific Northwest Wine Competition
Red Mountain AVA 100%
Out of Line Estate Vineyard
In 2005 we finished planting 10 acres of vineyard: 6 acres planted with 5 clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2½ acres planted with 4 clones of Merlot, and ½ acres of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot – with all of the plant material certified to be free of diseases and pests. Our vineyard rows are canted eleven degrees off of north-south. This orientation more evenly balances the sun exposure on each side of the vine row, increasing the exposure on the east and decreasing it on the west.
Tinte Vineyard (formerly E&E Shaw Vineyard)
Planted in 1995 by Ed and Eve Shaw, Tinte Vineyard has been part of the Hightower story since 1999. Known for its intense color, concentrated dark fruit, and firm tannin structure, this site adds depth and character to our wines. Like every parcel on Red Mountain, it brings its own nuances, shaped by the Worden Silt Loam soils that force the vines to struggle and ultimately focus their energy into the fruit. We are grateful to the Shaws—not only for their vineyard, but also for Eve’s creative touch as the artist behind the original Murray label.
Tim & Kelly Hightower
Tim and Kelly Hightower founded Hightower Cellars in 1997 in Woodinville, Washington with a simple philosophy: "Get the best grapes and don't screw them up." With their grape supply primarily coming from Red Mountain, the husband and wife co-winemaking team set out to make high quality wine, beginning with their first vintage: 221 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Today Tim and Kelly aim to make wine that lets the powerful, concentrated fruit from Red Mountain speak for itself, producing wine with great character, that’s naturally beautiful and free from pretense. The result is a collection of well-balanced, nuanced wines that reveal something new and interesting each time you open a bottle. We like to think they’re wines with character through and through – in how they were made, how they taste, and in the connections they inspire.
