# Subsoil Red Blend (2022)

- **Producer:** Subsoil
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Washington, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.9%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, chocolate, coffee, smoke, tobacco

## About this wine

Subsoil Red Blend is a distinctive private label wine crafted by Banville, exclusively sourced from the renowned Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Washington State. Winemaker Jeremy Santo oversees the creation of this and other wines for the brand, focusing on expressing the unique terroir of this region. Horse Heaven Hills is one of Washington's warmer AVAs, characterized by its loamy soils and a significant diurnal temperature shift. This unique climate allows grapes to achieve concentrated, rich fruit flavors while retaining a crucial fresh acidity, contributing to the wine's balance and complexity. The 'Subsoil' name itself hints at the importance of the deep sandy soils, derived from granite, basalt, and quartzite, that define the vineyards at elevations of 450-500ft A.S.L.

## Interesting facts

- Subsoil is a private label by Banville, exclusively featuring wines from Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
- The Horse Heaven Hills AVA is renowned for its high diurnal temperature shift, crucial for grape development.
- Grapes for this wine undergo a meticulous double-sorting process, both in the vineyard and at the winery.
- The fruit is intentionally not crushed to preserve whole-berry character during fermentation.

## Food pairing

The Subsoil Red Blend's robust structure, ripe dark fruit, and savory notes of smoke and tobacco call for rich, flavorful dishes that can stand up to its intensity. The wine's firm yet powdery tannins will be softened by the protein and fat in dishes like grilled meats and hearty stews, while its fruit and spice notes will complement savory elements. Aged hard cheeses also make an excellent match. Avoid overly delicate or highly acidic foods, as they would be overwhelmed or create an unpleasant clash with the wine's profile.

## Wine making process

The winemaking for Subsoil Red Blend emphasizes careful handling from vineyard to bottle. Grapes are sustainably farmed and undergo a meticulous double-sorting process: first in the vineyard during selective harvest using Pellenc harvesters, and then again at the winery on a sorting table. To preserve the integrity of the fruit, the grapes are not crushed, allowing for as much whole-berry fermentation as possible. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, with twice-daily pump-overs ensuring gentle extraction of color and tannins. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with approximately 35% new oak and 65% neutral oak, contributing complexity and structure without overpowering the fruit.