Nose
The 2013 Merlot Bosché has sweet black cherry, dark currant, and blackberry fruit components. With great depth of aroma and flavor, there are nuances of sweet oak spice, cocoa powder, aromatic cedar, cinnamon, clove, sweet vanilla and dark chocolate. The oak spice is very well integrated—not dominant but provides a substantial backbone to the complexity of the wine that balances the abundance of fruit depth.
Palate
The flavor is big, voluptuous, soft and velvety, with rich, great depth of black cherry fruit. The tannins are well integrated, providing a long fruitful finish.
Growing Conditions
A near perfect vintage–a warm dry winter and spring brought early bud break. The dry weather created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set under sunny skies. With one heat spike in late June, early July, the growing temperatures were near ideal for vine growth and ripening. Harvest was a good two weeks early and quite dry.
Bottling
March 2015
Winemaking
After a 5-day cold soak, the wine was fermented in stainless steel fermenters at 75°-86° F for 10-28 days’ skin contact.
Aging
59-gallon barrel aging in French oak cooperage: World Cooperage, Nadalie, Sylvain, Demptos & Marchive, 75% new oak Aged in Barrel: 15.8 months.
Appearance
Dark ruby in color.
