Nose
Bright and fruity aromatics featuring red cherry, dried fig, boysenberry and hints of cocoa and toasted oak.
Palate
Round mouthfeel showing lots of dark fruit flavors, black cherries, and a touch of herbs de Provence; finishes with more black fruit, cocoa and toasted oak.
Growing Conditions
The core of our 2011 Sonoma County Merlot came from the Sonoma County AVA. To generate more complexity, we harvested fruit from a handful of low-yielding, rocky sites that offered a diversity of exposures. The cooler, east-facing vineyards brought balance and elegance to the wine while the warmer, west-facing parcels delivered riper aromatics and broader tannins.
Winemaking
Fermented in stainless steel, 100% malolactic fermentation.
Aging
Aged for 28 months in 30% new oak barrels (mostly French) and 70% seasoned oak barrels
