2003 Merlot - Sonoma County / Sonoma County Selection
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* Wilson Vineyard (48%) This hillside property is located in Dry Creek Valley at the foot of Bradford Mountain
* Redwood Ranch (26%) This Alexander Valley vineyard is owned and meticulously farmed by Jim Reed.
* Calypso Vineyard (15%) Otis Holt’s tiny three acre parcel in the Russian River Valley has always delivered grapes of uncompromising quality.
* Redwood Hill (11%) Owned by Patrick and Susan Coonan, this high-elevation Sonoma County vineyard was planted in 1990 on a terraced hillside in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains.
WINEMAKING
Select blocks from these small vineyards were kept separate through fermentation and barrel aging, providing multiple blending options prior to bottling. To enhance the structure and complexity of the final blend, we added a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is a delightful, intensely flavored wine that we credit to the growers for their meticulous farming and passion to provide full-flavored, balanced fruit.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This wine is tremendously attractive for its youthful, complex aromas of blackberry, chocolate-cherry, mint and cedar and its juicy flavor expressions of wild berry fruit, cassis and green peppercorn. Remarkable for its richness and depth, this wine is also very appealing and refreshing due to its impeccable structure and acute acid balance. Truly a wine crafted for food! Try this with Roast Cornish Hens Stuffed with Pork and Prunes.
Bottled: April 2005
Winemaker: Gary Farrell
Varietal Composition: 85% Merlot; 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Case Production: 1087
Acid/pH: 0.72/3.33
Released: September 2006
Appellation: Sonoma County