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BACK
  • 2018

Merlot

Merlot, Sonoma County

Tasting Notes

Intense color and expressive aromatics set the stage for this classic Merlot. The rich aromas and flavors of dark, crushed berries, cassis, ripe plum and bittersweet chocolate are balanced with good acidity and a long, spicy finish.

Vintage Notes

A fairly mild spring and summer with few heat spikes allowed our 2018 harvest to begin right after Labor Day, later than previous years. The consistent growing season and cooler temperatures allowed for slow ripening and deep flavor development resulting in exceptional quality fruit with remarkable balance and brightness.

Vineyard Notes

Intense color and expressive aromatics set the stage for this classic Merlot. The rich aromas and flavors of dark, crushed berries, cassis, ripe plum and bittersweet chocolate are balanced with good acidity and a long, spicy finish. The grapes in our Sonoma County Merlot come from our Certified Sustainable Estate Wild Oak vineyard, located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, as well as from top growers throughout the region. Merlot thrives in Sonoma’s picturesque valleys where warm days are cooled by evening breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean. Each carefully selected vineyard contributes distinctive and individual qualities to the finished wine.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are gently de-stemmed before coldsoaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. The wines are kept 16 months in barrel before final blending and bottling.

Merlot, Sonoma County
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WINEMAKER

Chris Louton

COLLECTION

Classic Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
100% Merlot
ALCOHOL
14.8 %
CASES PRODUCED
42,000
AGING
16 Months
Bottling Date
May 2020
Barrel
FRENCH OAK, 25% NEW

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Accolades

94 Points | Wine Spectator | October 2022

Food Pairing

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Accolades

95 Points | San Diego International Wine & Spirits
91 Points | Wine Spectator

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Accolades

Best of Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | Jan 2018

Food Pairing

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Accolades

93 Points | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
92 Points | Sunset International Wine Competition | July 2020
Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition | July 2020

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Accolades

94 Points | Sunset International Wine Competition | June 2019
Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition | June 2019
Best of Class | Sunset International Wine Competition | June 2019

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Accolades

91 Pts | Wine Enthusiast | August 2023
91 Pts | San Diego International Wine Competition | February 2023
Gold | San Diego International Wine Competition | February 2023
Gold | San Francisco Chronicle Competition | January 2023

Food Pairing

Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower, Almond and Manchego Soup

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Accolades

94 pts | Rich Cook's Winemakers Challenge

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Accolades

91 pts., Gold Medal | San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge
91 pts. | Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

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