Nose
The nose is perfumed by violets, blackberries, blueberries, bramble and a touch of French oak.
Palate
On the palate, the richness of the wine is framed by tobacco, cocoa covered truffles, pomegranate, and boysenberry. The finish is medium length with ripe and chewy tannins that will continue to support the wine's wide flavor profile.
Growing Conditions
Seavey's 15th estate-produced Merlot the 2008, was made from grapes that came from vines planted in several different locations of the south-facing hillside vineyard. This year's crop was significantly smaller than in previous years but very high quality. Weather-related challenges included a Spring with many frost nights plus scant rainfall, a heat spike during fruit set, and then a week-long heat spike over Labor Day. Warm temperatures followed through the rest of the growing season, in the end providing us with excellent ripening and dense, concentrated fruit.
Bottling
May 2010
Winemaking
Winemaking style followed classic Bordeaux methods, beginning with whole-berry fermentation, cold soak and native yeast to start fermentation.
Aging
18 months 100% French Oak (50% new)
Appearance
The 2008 Merlot is particularly dark, rich, and complex.
