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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.
