Nose
Expresses bright fruit with forward spicy sweet oak.
Palate
There are layers of flavor composed of blackberry, dark cherry, raspberry, dark plum, milk chocolate and spices such as cinnamon and vanilla. Coupled with the bright fruit, there is a hint of arugula adding to the complexity. The entry and finish are very smooth with integrated fruit resembling black cherry and Santa Rosa plum. The velvety texture coupled with the richness of flavor provides a profile that delivers from initial sip, one that continues on the palate for a very long time.
Growing Conditions
The above average rainfall for the winter and spring left the precipitation totals more than a third above normal by the end of June. The cooler, wet spring delayed bloom and disrupted fruit set, resulting in shatter in parts of the region. The cooler-than-average growing season continued throughout summer resulting in a later-than-average harvest. The delayed maturity of the fruit, coupled with a few early autumn rain storms, made for a very challenging harvest season. With experience, we were able to overcome these obstacles, producing really fine wines expressing the aromas and flavors preserved by a cooler than average growing season.
Harvest
9/26 —10/25 for Merlot. Sugar ranged from 22 to 25.1° brix with an average roughly 23.4° brix.
Bottling
April 2012
Winemaking
After a five day cold soak, the fermentation was in stainless steel fermentors at 75-86 ̊ for 10-28 days skin contact,averaging 21.5 days
Aging
Barrels: French and American oak, 25% newCooperage: World CooperageAged in barrel: 14 months
Appearance
Ruby colored.
