2014 Estate Merlot

• Varieties:
  100% Merlot
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.5
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.9%
• Acidity:
  0.71g/100ml
• pH:
  3.45
• Residual sugar:
  0.03 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  December 13, 2016
• Cases produced:
  147
• Retail Price:
  $ 24.00

Growing conditions:
Early! Budbreak in 2014 was nearly 3 weeks early with great growing conditions: No frost, warm days/cool nights during the growing season with harvest finishing days early, While quality is excellent due to the tiny berry size, yields were small due to our 3rd year of drought.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless fermentor. 24 hours later, the must was inoculated with RX-10 yeast then pumped over twice daily for 18 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, this merlot was aged for 25 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Intense aromas of bing cherries and spices are complimented by a background of spicy oak. Rich flavors with layers of complex, supple tannins interlocking with rich oak flavors and a long, intense finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this 100% merlot will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 3-6 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2018-2022.

Food selection:
This elegant wine will compliment a large array of food dishes but is best with beef, lamb and ripe cheeses.