Nose
Aromas exhibiting notes of tropical fruit, bananas, and subtle oak.
Palate
A creamy sensation follows with slight acidity and excellent texture which resonates as a rich wine. The combination of native yeasts and inoculated yeasts have created a wine with great complexity and length in the finish.
Growing Conditions
We purchased the land for this vineyard in 2001 after searching for a location that would allow us to produce profound terroir based wines. Located in Knights Valley, ten acres are planted, two-thirds to red varietals and one third to white. Planting was done in stages by varietal to create the three wines in succession. The elevation of this vineyard is 2300-2500 feet and its steep slopes and bowl shape create intriguing microclimates with mostly southern and western exposures. The soils are rich in volcanic ash – ideal for Cabernet franc and Chardonnay; clay for Merlot and Sauvignon blanc. La Mekerra displays a sense of wild animal, full of energy. The wines have floral dark fruit mixed with minerals and big tannic structure for the red and great natural acidity for the whites.
Soil composition: Clay and volcanic ash Year Planted: 2003 Size: 6 acres Vine spacing: 5’ x 3’ Clones: Cab franc 327/332; Merlot 181 Elevation: 2500’ Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley Varietals: Cabernet franc; Merlot First Vintage Produced: 2007
Our first vintage of Chardonnay produced from this 2500 foot elevation vineyard in Knights Valley. The Chardonnay has eastern exposure - the only block on this site with that orientation.
Aging
19 months in 100% one year old French oak
