Nose
Our 2010 Merlot offers silky aromas of violets and mountain boysenberry with hints
of cinnamon and clove.
Palate
A firm, structured core promises superb aging, while the wine’s rich, layered flavors and sensuous finish make it hard to resist now.
Growing Conditions
The 2010 vintage was a tale of patience. A cool, wet spring resulted in later bud break than usual. Careful vine
management helped mitigate heat spikes at the beginning of harvest. Once risk of extreme heat passed, we
opened up the canopies for greater light exposure and air flow through the vines. Warm, dry weather through
mid-October resulted in timelier ripening than expected at the growing season’s onset.
Vineyards: Pahlmeyer Waters Ranch, Rancho Chimiles, Las Amigas, Stagecoach.
To inquire about purchasing, please email or call 707-255-2321.
Bottling
It was bottled unfined and
unfiltered on April 24, 2012.
Winemaking
The grape clusters were hand-sorted, and once de-stemmed, the berries were sorted again by hand on the way
to tank. After four to five days of pre-fermentation cold maceration in small open-top fermentors, the fruit
began 100% native yeast fermentation. Two to three weeks later, the fruit was gently pressed and moved to
barrel where it finished primary and secondary fermentations.
Aging
The wine continued to age in 80% new French
oak – a combination of Taransaud and St. Martin barrels – for eighteen months.
Appearance
Regal dark purple in hue.
