Nose
This beautiful wine possesses a nose that reveals dried flowers, tea, chocolate, plum, anise and kirsch.
Palate
This wine was bottle aged over a year before its release and should drink nicely for 15-20 years.
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
The 2008 marks the second vintage from this high elevation parcel in Knights Valley. With a severe spring frost, there was a certainty that there would be no production for 2008. Simply put, this is the miracle wine.
The 2008, which is nearly equal parts Cabernet franc and Merlot, exhibits a style that is slightly plumper and denser than the 2007. The climatic conditions contributed to a vintage that resulted in very low yields but exquisitely balanced fruit.
Aging
22 months 75% new French oak.
