Nose

Filled with the fragrances of dark brambly berries, baked plum, warm brown sugar, nutmeg and light cedar, this wine delights the nose with its complexity.

Palate

Equally intricate and pleasing is the creamy palate,
which enters with decadent flavors of blackberry compote, warm blueberry pie and ripe black cherry. Nuances of smoky
oak, sweet baking spice and fine cocoa mingle with soft tannins on the persistent finish.

Growing Conditions

With steadily mild temperatures throughout the growing season, the 2009 vintage progressed very smoothly and the
clusters ripened evenly.

Harvest

The fruit for this wine was harvested mid-September through early October and was thoroughly
sorted.

Winemaking

Fermentation took place at a high temperature to ensure that maximum extraction was achieved.

Aging

Racked to 40% new French oak barrels. The wine was aged in barrel for a total of 17 months before bottling.

Appearance

A richly
constructed, deep ruby Merlot.

Food Pairing

With its dense, robust construction and deeply-fruited palate, our 2009 Carneros Merlot pairs famously with savory,
substantial dishes. Pair it with a hearty lamb and vegetable stew with new potatoes for a succulent dinner selection, or try
it with Parrano Robusto for an enjoyable cheese course.