2012 Estate Merlot

• Varieties:
  100% Merlot
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.0
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.7%
• Acidity:
  0.71g/100ml
• pH:
  3.46
• Residual sugar:
  0.02 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  December 05, 2014
• Cases produced:
  249
• Retail Price:
  $ 22.00

Growing conditions:
FINALLY! 2012 HAD RELATIVELY NORMAL CONDITIONS, MINIMAL APRIL FROST, WARM TO HOT DAYS/COOL NIGHTS IN JULY AND AUGUST THEN A MILD INDIAN SUMMER IN LATE SEPT/EARLY OCT. EARLY INDICATIONS ARE THAT 2012 IS THE BEST VINTAGE SINCE 2007 AND POSSIBLY SINCE THE FAMOUS 1997 VINTAGE.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless fermentor. 24 hours later, the must was inoculated with FX-15 yeast then pumped over twice daily for 17 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, this merlot was aged for 22 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 2016-2020.

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