If you’re passionate about complex aromas, layered textures, and the kind of flavors that unfold sip by sip, a red wine subscription is the smartest path to discovering, learning, and cellaring with confidence. At Mercer Wine Estates, our roots in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills reach back to 1972, when our family planted the first wine grapes in the area. That decision—and the decades of farming that followed—taught us how our rich soils and desert climate coax elegance and structure from red varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. When we released our first Mercer Wine Estates vintage in Prosser in 2005, we doubled down on that expertise. Today, we produce mouth-watering Cabernet Sauvignons alongside world-class red blends and single-varietal wines. A subscription connects you directly to that legacy, bottle by bottle.
Beyond convenience, a well-curated subscription is a tool. It helps you build a cellar thoughtfully, compare vintages and vineyards, explore stylistic variation, and track how wines evolve over time. You don’t just “get wine”; you get a guided, seasonally attuned education—with selections designed to drink now, age beautifully, or anchor a themed dinner. Below, we’ll show you how our approach to red wine curation advances your palate and your cellar.
Exploring Popular Red Varietals
Washington State is a dream for red grapes: long summer days, cool nights, and a reliably dry growing season that helps produce clean fruit and consistent ripeness. From that foundation, we focus on varietals that showcase power and poise.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet is our flagship for a reason. In our desert climate, Cabernet develops generous blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit, supported by firm yet refined tannins and notes of cedar, graphite, and baking spice from judicious oak. It’s a natural candidate for both early enjoyment and long-term aging, depending on the cuvée and vintage.
Merlot
Merlot thrives here, too. Expect plush red and black fruit—think plum and black cherry—wrapped in medium tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Merlot is deceptively versatile: approachable in its youth and rewarding with a few years in bottle, especially from structured vintages.
Syrah
From peppery, savory profiles to riper, dark-fruited expressions, Washington Syrah is a chameleon. Our selections tend to balance brambly fruit with hints of smoked meat, cracked pepper, and olive, finishing with a satisfyingly silky texture.
Malbec
Malbec brings vivid blueberry, violet, and cocoa tones, often in a generous, round package. It’s a friendly “bridge” wine for those who enjoy Cabernet’s depth but want softer edges on weeknights.
Tempranillo & Grenache (and GSM Blends)
Tempranillo offers red cherry, tobacco, and leather with bright acidity—excellent with grilled and roasted dishes. Grenache brings red raspberry, strawberry, and baking spice; blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM), it delivers lift, spice, and structure in beautiful balance.
Petite Sirah & Petite Verdot (structure specialists)
In the right proportions, these varieties add color, tannin, and cellar-worthy backbone—either as stand-alone bottlings or in blends. Expect inky fruit, licorice, and plenty of grip.
Our subscription curates across these styles so you can compare side-by-side: same vintage, different varieties; same variety, different vineyards; blends versus single-varietal bottlings. That’s how a collection becomes a cellar—and how preferences become knowledge.
Cabernet vs. Pinot Noir Profiles
Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are often discussed together because they represent two poles of red wine expression.
- Cabernet Sauvignon (our specialty): Full-bodied, structured, and built on dark fruit, cedar, and graphite. Cabernet is defined by its tannin framework and its affinity for oak. It pairs effortlessly with rich, protein-driven dishes and rewards decanting when young. In our Horse Heaven Hills sites, the warm days and cool nights sculpt ripe fruit without excess weight, preserving balance and an elegant, fine-grained tannin profile.
- Pinot Noir: Medium- to light-bodied, with red cherry, cranberry, rose, and forest floor. Pinot’s tannins are typically finer and silkier, and the wine’s charm lies in its aromatics and texture rather than sheer power. While Pinot isn’t our core focus at Mercer, we often include comparative bottles from collaborators or partner allocations upon request so subscribers can explore the spectrum of red wine structure. Tasting Cabernet beside Pinot teaches you how tannin, acidity, and body interact with food and aging.
For many collectors, Cabernet becomes the cellar’s backbone, with Pinot providing counterpoint and versatility. Our goal is to help you map those contrasts thoughtfully over time.
Aging Recommendations for Red Wines
One of the biggest advantages of a red-focused subscription is built-in aging potential. When we choose wines for our members, we think in “drink windows”—the span of years when the wine is most expressive—so you can plan when to open each bottle. Here’s a general guide (actual windows vary by vintage, producer, and storage):
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Bordeaux-style blends: 5–20+ years. Entry-level or fruit-forward styles show beautifully at 3–7 years; reserve bottlings can cruise for decades.
- Merlot: 4–10 years. The plush mid-palate mellows attractively, and secondary notes of cocoa and cedar emerge.
- Syrah: 5–12 years. Pepper and savory tones develop, fruit deepens, and texture becomes silkier.
- Malbec: 4–8 years. Retains vivid fruit while adding mocha, spice, and polish.
- Tempranillo: 5–20 years, depending on style (Crianza vs. Reserva/Gran Reserva analogs). Leather, tobacco, and balsamic notes grow with time.
- Grenache/GSM blends: 3–10 years. Grenache’s sweet red fruit gains complexity; Mourvèdre adds structure for aging.
- Petite Sirah/Petit Verdot: 7–20 years for structured examples; tannins gradually integrate and reveal dense, dark fruit and spice.
We build shipments that mix “drink now” bottles with “hold” selections, so you’re always stocked for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. We also allocate verticals (multiple vintages of the same wine) when possible—especially for Cabernet Sauvignon—so you can taste how a single site expresses different growing seasons. That’s the kind of comparative context a typical retail run can’t provide.
Decanting can be a powerful tool:
- Young, structured reds (Cabernet, Petite Sirah) often benefit from 60–120 minutes in a decanter.
- Mature bottles (10+ years) usually need a gentle, brief decant primarily to remove sediment—over-aeration can blur delicate tertiary aromas.
We share detailed notes with each shipment, including serving temperature and decanting suggestions, so you approach each bottle with confidence.
Storage Tips for Cellaring
Great cellars start with consistent conditions, not fancy furniture. Whether you have a dedicated room, a compact wine fridge, or a cool interior closet, follow these fundamentals:
- Temperature: Aim for around 55°F (13°C). Consistency matters more than perfection; avoid big swings. Temperatures between 53–60°F are safe if they’re steady.
- Humidity: 60–70% helps protect cork integrity. In arid climates, a small humidifier (or even a dish of water) in a cellar room can help; wine fridges typically regulate humidity well.
- Light: Keep bottles out of direct sunlight. UV can degrade wine and fade labels.
- Vibration: Minimize vibration. Mechanical rumble can disturb sediments and accelerate aging.
- Position: Store bottles on their side if sealed with natural cork to keep the cork moist. Screwcap and technical corks are more forgiving, but horizontal storage still saves space.
- Odors: Avoid strong smells (paints, solvents) near storage; cork can transmit odors over time.
- Organization: Label shelves by variety and vintage; keep a simple inventory (spreadsheet or cellar app). Note “open by” guidance from our shipment inserts, so the right bottles don’t linger too long.
- Magnums and large formats: Age more slowly due to a lower oxygen-to-wine ratio; they’re excellent for celebratory aging of Cabernet and blends.
- Re-stocking discipline: When a favorite bottle’s drink window is approaching, we’ll suggest replacement options with a similar profile and potential so your cellar stays balanced.
Aging wine shouldn’t feel intimidating. With a curated plan, you can treat your cellar like a living library: add new chapters, revisit favorites, and keep a healthy mix of daily drinkers and future show-stoppers.
Pairing Red Wines with Food
Food pairing is where theory meets joy. We approach pairings through a few simple lenses: weight, tannin, acidity, and flavor intensity.
- Weight matching: Pair lighter reds with delicate dishes and fuller-bodied reds with rich, hearty foods.
- Tannin and fat: Tannins in Cabernet or Petite Sirah love fat and protein (ribeye, lamb chops, aged cheeses); the proteins bind to tannins, smoothing perception and refreshing the palate.
- Acidity and richness: Wines with higher natural acidity (Sangiovese, Tempranillo) cleanse palate fatigue from cream or oil, so they shine with sauces and roast-driven textures.
- Spice and sweetness: A touch of fruit sweetness or ripe, plush fruit (Zinfandel, some Grenache) balances spice heat in barbecue or chorizo-driven dishes.
- Umami: Mushrooms, soy, aged cheese, and cured meats amplify complexity in Pinot Noir, Syrah, and mature Bordeaux-style blends.
Here are dependable matches by variety:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Grilled steak, lamb, short ribs, portobello mushrooms, rosemary-and-garlic roasted potatoes. Hard, aged cheeses (cheddar, pecorino). Dark chocolate with sea salt for dessert—especially with older, more nuanced bottles.
- Merlot: Herb-roasted chicken or pork loin, mushroom pastas, meatloaf, pizza with Italian sausage. Soft to semi-hard cheeses (gouda, fontina).
- Syrah: Pepper-rubbed tri-tip, smoked brisket, charcuterie, black-pepper tuna steak, olive tapenade. Pairs beautifully with roasted root vegetables and dishes with anise or fennel seed.
- Malbec: Skirt steak, chimichurri, burgers, grilled vegetables. Empanadas or dishes with paprika and cumin sing with Malbec’s ripe, plush fruit.
- Tempranillo: Jamón, chorizo, paella, tomato-based pastas, grilled mushrooms. Manchego is a classic.
- Grenache / GSM: Lamb kebabs, Mediterranean herbs, ratatouille, barbecue chicken, Moroccan tagines. Versatile with spice blends like ras el hanout.
- Petite Sirah / Petit Verdot: Coffee-rubbed steaks, cocoa-chile braises, blue cheese burgers. Open early or decant to tame the tannin.
In each shipment, we include pairing suggestions tailored to the wines you receive and the season you’re cooking in. That way, your next meal is a perfect match waiting to happen.
Seasonal Red Wine Selections
A year of red wine is a year of changing moods—and your subscription should reflect that. We tune our selections to seasonal cooking and occasions:
- Spring (fresh & fragrant): As menus lift toward herbs and spring vegetables, we lean into Merlot, Grenache, and elegant Cabernet bottlings with refined tannins. Think lamb with rosemary, grilled asparagus with prosciutto, mushroom risotto. Lighter-bodied reds show beautifully with a gentle chill (10–15 minutes in the fridge).
- Summer (grill & chill): For cookouts and long evenings, we feature Syrah, Malbec, and GSM blends—wines that welcome smoky barbecue, spice rubs, and char. We also include fruit-driven reds that can be served slightly chilled for hot weather, like Grenache. Picnic fare—salumi, aged cheeses, roasted peppers—loves these styles.
- Fall (harvest comfort): As braises and roasts return, structured Cabernet Sauvignon and deeper Merlot become center stage. We also reach for Tempranillo and select blends that handle heartier sauces, squash, and wild mushrooms. Football weekends and tailgates? Zesty, generous reds keep up with chili, wings, and smoked sausages.
- Winter (celebration & cellaring): Holidays are the perfect time to open reserve Cabernet or a library vintage from your cellar. We’ll often include age-worthy selections in late-year shipments so you can decide: celebrate now or lay them down for future milestones. Winter menus—prime rib, venison, blue cheese—let structured reds shine.
Seasonality isn’t just poetic; it’s practical. Choosing wines that match the foods and moods of the moment helps you enjoy bottles at their peak while rotating your cellar organically.
Why a Red Wine Subscription with Mercer Wine Estates Works
We believe a red-focused subscription should do three things exceptionally well: curate with purpose, educate without fuss, and help you build a cellar you’re excited to open. Here’s what that looks like in practice with our program:
- Curation that respects your palate
We start from our strengths—Cabernet Sauvignon, red blends, and single-varietal reds shaped by Horse Heaven Hills terroir—and layer in complementary styles for contrast and versatility. Your shipments deliver both reliable favorites and thoughtful discoveries tied to vintage character. - Cellar building, simplified
Every selection comes with drink-window guidance and aging notes, so you know which bottles are weeknight-ready and which belong on the “special occasion” shelf. Over time, your collection develops natural depth: verticals of Cabernet, a spectrum of GSM blends, and seasonal reds you can pull without second-guessing. - Access and value
Members often receive limited releases, small-lot bottlings, and library allocations that rarely hit wider distribution. You also get early access to new vintages—especially those coveted, structured Cabernets that our vineyards are known for. - Education that sticks
We believe context is the best teacher. Tasting a 3-year-old Cabernet next to a 10-year-old bottle from a related site shows what aging does, not just what it might do. Comparing a Syrah and a GSM blend from the same vintage teaches you how blending rebalances fruit, spice, and texture. - Seasonal pairing confidence
Our recipes and pairing notes arrive ready to use. Planning a braise, a grill night, or a holiday roast? We’ve done the matching, so you can focus on the cooking and the company. - Consistency backed by place
Since our family planted the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills in 1972, we’ve learned how our rich soils and desert climate shape tannin and flavor. That’s why our Cabernets are so well-loved: elegant structure, enticing aromatics, and the resilience to age gracefully. Our first vintage in 2005 set the tone; our current releases carry it forward across Cabernet Sauvignon, world-class red blends, and single-varietal wines. When you subscribe, that continuity of place and practice anchors every shipment.
Putting It All Together
A red wine subscription isn’t just about keeping your racks stocked; it’s about elevating everything you already love about red wine. You get:
- Depth: Access to serious reds with the bones to age and the charm to enjoy young.
- Discovery: The chance to explore varieties and blends you might not reach for on your own.
- Design: An intentional plan for your cellar—built across styles, vintages, and seasons.
- Delicious meals: Pairings that turn dinners into occasions and occasions into memories.
We’ve built our program to reflect the way we drink and collect ourselves: a reliable core of Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet, supported by expressive reds that bring balance, flexibility, and fun. With the right guidance and a steady cadence of shipments, your cellar becomes more than storage—it becomes a story you get to write with every cork you pull.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I receive shipments?
We offer flexible schedules so you can align deliveries with your drinking habits and storage space. If you’re building a cellar aggressively, we’ll recommend a cadence that supports verticals and age-worthy selections. If you’re focused on enjoying bottles now, we’ll curate toward drink-now reds and food-friendly blends.
What if I prefer certain varieties?
Tell us what you love—Cabernet-heavy selections, Syrah-forward blends, or a mix with chillable reds for summer—and we’ll shape your shipments accordingly. We’ll also flag upcoming releases so you can request add-ons.
Do I need a full wine cellar?
Not at all. Many members start with a 24- to 48-bottle fridge and scale up. We tailor recommendations to your storage setup and provide tips to keep bottles in ideal condition.
Can I host a tasting at home using a shipment?
Absolutely. We regularly design shipments that make great flight comparisons—varietal studies, blend vs. single-vineyard, or vintage verticals. We’ll include tasting guides so your group can dig into differences and take notes.
Are the wines ready to drink on arrival?
Yes—if a wine needs time, we’ll say so. Many selections are delicious right away with a short decant; others are specifically chosen to reward patience. Either way, you’ll know what to expect.
The Mercer Difference: Grounded in Horse Heaven Hills
Much of what makes our red wines compelling starts in the vineyard. In the Horse Heaven Hills, steady winds, wide diurnal shifts, and sparse rainfall create conditions that favor thick skins, concentrated flavors, and naturally balanced acidity. Combine that with our decades of farming and selective oak integration, and you get reds with elegant tannin structure and enticing flavor profiles—wines that feel complete today and promise even more tomorrow.
Cabernet Sauvignon sits at the center of our work because the place demands it. But the real fun comes from how we weave other red varieties and blends around that core, offering contrast, complexity, and seasonal versatility. That’s exactly what our subscription captures.
Ready to Build a Red-Forward Cellar?
If you’re excited to explore, age, and enjoy red wines with confidence, we’d love to welcome you. Join us at Mercer Wine Estates and start receiving curated shipments that make every season—and every dinner—more delicious. Explore our current releases and membership options, and let’s begin crafting a cellar you’ll be proud to share.