Nose
Fruity aromas of ripe plum and dried cherry.
Palate
Spicy notes of cinnamon, licorice and vanilla to give this Merlot a complex character. Well balanced tannins and velvety mouthfeel lead to a long finish.
Growing Conditions
vineyards located in Sonoma County’s best grape-growing appellations. Our Estate Vineyard located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley provides good color and excellent texture. The blend is balanced with the rich fruit and spicy flavors from grapes sourced in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys.
The second year of the California drought, 2013 provided us with intensely flavored fruit that had excellent extraction. Although the weather was very dry we enjoyed a mild summer that allowed the fruit to fully mature on the vine. Our Merlot vineyards were harvested in late September and early October as they achieved the peak of flavor.
Bottling
Bottled July 2015.
Winemaking
Each vineyard lot was picked, fermented, and aged separately in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 21 months. After aging was complete, the wines were blended for taste and balance, and prior to bottling a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was added to the blend to increase the wine’s complexity.
Aging
21 months in French and American oak barrels.
Food Pairing
This versatile, well-crafted wine will pair well with grilled mushrooms and Beef Bourguignon.
