Tasting Notes
Full-bodied, rich, and velvety, the Reserve Merlot features toasty aromas of plum pudding, espresso, and black licorice. Flavors to follow are full of depth with notes of mocha, blackberry and baking chocolate emerging before the lengthy finish.
Vineyard Notes
The Reserve Merlot shows off the rich and flavorful fruit grown in the Wild Oak Estate Vineyard and Behler Estate Vineyard, both in Sonoma Valley. This picturesque valley is surrounded by the Sonoma Mountains to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, providing perfect conditions for Merlot grapes. For additional richness and length, Merlot from high atop Sonoma Mountain was blended in to complement our valley floor fruit. This area’s warm summer days are cooled by evening breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in fruit with deep, complex flavors and aromas.
Winemaker Notes
After hand-sorting, the grapes underwent a two-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor. The wine was then aged in 100% French oak barrels, 65% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging.
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Accolades
94 Points | Jeb Dunnuck | June 2019
93 Points | Tasting Panel | May 2019
92 Points | The Wine Advocate | December 2019
91 Points | Suckling Tasting | December 2019
Accolades
93 Points | Tasting Panel | May 2017
91 Points | Wine Enthusiest | June 2017
90 Points | The Wine Advocate | March 2017
Gold Medal | SF Chronicle Wine Competition | January 2017
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