Nose
Concentrated aromas of black cherry and plum join with aromatic notes of allspice, vanilla and clove.
Palate
Rich, full-bodied flavor with excellent balance and big well-structured tannins give way to a long finish.
Growing Conditions
To make this select vineyard designate wine, we use the Merlot block that is located at the very top of our property. Here the rocky and dry soil has very low fertility. These growing conditions are difficult for the vines and lowers their yield, allowing them to produce exceptionally concentrated and flavorful fruit.
Bottling
Bottled August 2016.
Winemaking
Harvested on September 17th the fruit was picked by hand and brought down the hill to the winery for crushing and destemming before fermenting on the skins for 17 days. The young wine was then pressed into stainless steel tanks for several months of settling before being placed in small French oak barrels. After 19 months of aging, the best-tasting barrels were separated from the lot and assembled to be bottled as our limited release, Kenwood Estate Vineyard Merlot.
Aging
19 months in Stainless Steel Tanks; Small French Oak Barrels.
Food Pairing
This flavorful, full-bodied Merlot is an excellent match for Savory Cheeses, Braised Meats, or Grilled Herb Roasted Chicken.
