Nose
Intense ripe aromas of plum, berries, black tea and verbena all pour from the glass along with more subtle notes of truffle, baking spice, cumin and vanilla.
Palate
In the mouth, the 2014 Merlot is super-ripe and expressive, with a luscious, fruit-driven dense mid-palate and tannins that are a case study for the descriptor “velvety.” The finish possesses length and power and a subtle minerality.
Growing Conditions
The blend involves all of our twelve merlot vineyard blocks, planted about equally to Clones 3 and 181, along with 12% cabernet sauvignon from our Quartz Hill, Rock Arch and County Line vineyard blocks. Our flagship 2014 Merlot proves once again just how great merlot can be when it is grown at elevation above the fog line on south-facing warm sunny slopes.
80% Napa
20% Sonoma
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Harvest
Harvested: Oct. 2014.
Bottling
Bottled: April 2016.
Winemaking
Fermentation: Stainless steel.
Aging
French oak.