Palate
This Merlot has layers of blackberry, blueberry and ripe plum that quench the palate. The tannins are chalky and well integrated resulting in good structure and a luxurious finish.
Growing Conditions
Stretched along the floor of northern Sonoma Valley, the vineyards for this Merlot have western exposure, yielding warm afternoons that promote the development of complex, ripe fruit.
Harvest
2013 was an intense harvest. The normal 6-8 week harvest was done in 5, and in some cases we were picking all different varietals on the same day, at the same time. Vines started their development quite early this year because warm, dry spring, which created ideal conditions for fruit set. The growing season was idyllic with nearly perfect temperatures for healthy vines and fruit ripening. Slightly cooler weather in October allowed plenty of hang time for the late ripening fruit to develop flavors, promoting rich, ripe, and complex wines.
Winemaking
Handpicked fruit for this Merlot was sourced specifically from areas in Sonoma Valley that elicit the ultimate expression of full fruit, velvety texture Merlot while maintaining varietal integrity. In the winery we used a variety of techniques to maximize flavor intensity and retain bright fruit flavors while managing tannin levels including cold soaking, pump over, and varying fermentation lengths and temperatures.
Aging
The wine was aged in French and American oak for 16 months.
