Palate
Lively and fresh, the brilliant golden-green tinted 2011 Fascination is introduced by dynamic floral aromatics of fresh spring flowers that layer across the pallet with mineral laced grapefruit and lemon drop tones blending harmoniously with deep underlying tropical fruit flavors that balance on the razors edge between richness and refreshing.
Growing Conditions
What began with a wet winter and spring continued with rainfall into mid-June that delayed bloom and disrupted fruit set resulting in shatter in parts of the region set the stage for a long, cooler-than-average growing season with a later-than-average harvest beset with autumn rain storms.
After a consistently cool summer season, significant mid-October rain pushed the vintage even later. But growers were rewarded with weeks of fantastic weather, a prolonged Indian summer that provided needed ripening time.
Most agreed that Merlot was a success story for 2011. While it can tended to be on the greener side, the cool weather helped the vines work more efficiently and produced a beautiful vintage of this varietal with black cherry and plum, not any pruney character.
