2007 Russian River Valley Merlot
Absolutely Merlot and absolutely outstanding.
CHAIRMAN'S AWARD ♦ 2 BEST OF CLASS ♦ 8 GOLDS!
The color of the wine is a deep red almost opaque. Your nose will experience black cherries, plums, dried cherries, charcoal, toast, dried herbs, minerals, all setting into a varietal correct smell. The palate has a broad entry followed by a full-middle based feeling on the tongue. This wine is balanced and has good structure. Lots of minerals, dustiness, dried fruits, pomegranate, roasted nuttiness, jolly ranchers, and sweet fruits add to a long tasty finish.
Extremely limited.
No guarantee of availability!
Awards
2011 - GOLD - SF Chronicle Wine Competition
2010 - CHAIRMAN'S AWARD - Long Beach Grand Cru
2010 - BEST OF CLASS - Long Beach Grand Cru
2010 - GOLD - Long Beach Grand Cru
2010 - BEST OF VARIETAL - Eastern Wine Competition
2010 - BEST OF CLASS - Long Beach Grand Cru
2010 - BEST OF CLASS - Los Angeles International Competition
2010 - DOUBLE GOLD - Florida State Wine Competition
2010 - GOLD - SF Chronicle Wine Competition
2010 - GOLD - Long Beach Grand Cru
2010 - GOLD - Finger Lakes International Competition
2010 - GOLD - West Coast International Competition
2010 - GOLD - Los Angeles International Competition
2010 - GOLD - Lone Star International Competition
2010 - GOLD - Sonoma County Harvest Festival
PDF Spec Sheet 
Wine Specs
Vintage
2007
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Harvest Date
September 14, 2007
Sugar
23.6° Brix
Aging
16 Months
Bottling Date
March 30, 2009
Alcohol %
13.7
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Bouquets of black cherries, plums, dried cherries, charcoal, toast, herbs and minerals. Palate has a broad entry followed by a full-middle base. Balance with great structure. Long tasty finish. Pairs and compliments any food. True to classic Merlot aromas of cherries and plums are intertwined with soft peppercorn, dried herbs,
cassis, blackberry and a touch of ripe cherry red pomegranate. From the nose to the mouth, the oral brings in the complexity and evolving
array of flavors. Soft chalky tannins, freshly grated Italian truffles, black cherry fruit and a touch of milk chocolate rounds out the modest intensity of this pretty Merlot.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were cold soaked, after harvest, with enzymes for five days. Open top with punch down and a submerged Cap. The temperature maxed at 89° F. The juice was pressed at dryness to barrel where the last of primary and malolactic was complete.
The Merlot vines are over 30 years old and planted on
St. George root stock. The vineyard is dry grown and
is low yield at 3 tons per acre. The deep root system
produces an amazing range of favors at fairly low
sugar levels, resulting in a more European style wine,
but with an intensity and opulence of fruit that is so
recognizably California. The grapes were picked at
23.6° Brix on September 14, 2007. Capturing as many
whole berries as possible, followed by a 4 day cold
soak, gives the wine an extraordinary depth of fruit.
Co-fermented in 2 separate open top tanks and a
combination of punch downs, submerged cap and
pump overs were utilized. The temperature was kept
on the cool side to preserve the more delivate and
pretty fruit characters. The wine was in the barrel for
16 months. An extended maceration has softened
the tannins and given this wine a soft and silky
mouth feel.
Food Pairing Notes
Italian Fare, Steak, Grilled Vegies, Lamb, Pork, Tomato based Pasta Dishes
Oak Plan
40% New Oak - 70% French 30% American
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