The dream to start this winery came about in Beijing as four friends sat overlooking the Forbidden City, the former Chinese imperial palace. Three of them worked at an investment firm and the other was a banker, thus the connotation “market” vineyards and playful wine labels like Arbitrage, Basis Points and Benchmark.
General manager Kelly Precechtel Bright joined the partnership a couple years ago. After retiring from the banking industry, she attended the enology and viticulture school at Washington State University. The prolific Charlie Hoppes makes the wines for Market Vineyards, but all the partners get together for tastings every summer and give input and direction about the blends. “Charlie makes our job very easy,” Kelly told Tasting Room Magazine.
The partners plan to grow vineyards in the future but for now rely on fruit sourced from vineyards on Red Mountain and throughout the Columbia Valley. The varietals lean heavily toward French styles—the reds are focused on Bordeaux varietals and their white is a blend of Roussanne and Viogner, both Rhône varietals.
The 2010 Basis Points is a supple and lush Bordeaux varietal with velvet-lined tannins and a rich core of cassis. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot.
Nose: Mascerated cherry, blackberry, leather and cigar box aromas.
Taste: Rich red and black fruit accented with delicate notes of anise, dried herbs and dusty cinnamon spices. Elegant and well-balanced with a long finish.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 14.9%
Website: www.marketvineyards.com