The wine shows off the rich and flavorful fruit grown 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. 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. This special wine's fruit is sourced from three vineyards: the Dinner Vineyard high atop Sonoma Mountain and the Murray Vineyard located on the mountain’s eastern facing benchland for structure and Wild Oak Estate Vineyard on the valley floor for softer, flavors and texture. 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, 42% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging.

Harvest Note
A fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes allowed the 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.
Tasting Note
Layered and expressive, this elegant and aromatic Merlot entices with generous flavors of dark red fruits, plum preserves, pomegranate and mulling spices balanced by good acidity and soft, polished tannins.
Food Pairing
Excellent with duck confit, short ribs and poached pears.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Merlot
APPELLATION: Sonoma Valley
PH: 3.69
ACIDITY: .67 g/100
ABV: 14.9%
AGING: 20 Months, 100% French Oak, 42% New Oak
Unique Selling Points
  • Aged in 100% French Oak barrels

About the Grape

Merlot
Merlot makes plump, succulent wines to drink young or opulently massive wines for aging. Has silky, blackberry and currant fruit, with spice, earth, tobacco and chocolate notes, and soft tannins.
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