VINIFICATION:
The Merlot grapes were crushed and destemmed into a fermenter before yeast inoculation. The tank was pumped over twice daily to extract the color and soft tannins found in the grape skins. The grapes were gently pressed, after dryness, before inoculation with malolactic bacteria. At the end of the malolactic fermentation, the Merlot wine was racked, SO2 adjusted and transferred to barrels. The wine was aged 9 months in predominantly French oak barrels before bottling. This wine was not cold stabilized and may show tartrate crystals in the bottle.
DESCRIPTION:
The 2005 Merlot shows the qualities that have made this grape variety a favorite. With aromas of prune and licorice as well as toasty oak notes, this Merlot shows great concentration and richness. The use of both French and American oak barrels add dimension to this wine. Supple tannins and moderate acidity make the Merlot from the 2005 vintage particularly well suited for food pairings. Enjoy this wine with pasta, meats and sharp cheeses.
ANALYSIS:
Alcohol: 12.8%
Acidity: .47g/100ml
pH: 3.52
Sugar: <.2%
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