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Our southern location in Monterey County
provides hot, dry days with cool and breezy evenings; ideal
conditions for maturing Merlot. It’s a well-known fact
that limited direct sunlight on the grape cluster yield wines
of intense flavor and soft tannins. To accomplish this in
the vineyard our vines are trained to the VSP (Vertical Shoot
Position) trellis system, which partially exposes the fruit
to the day’s sun. Additionally, we allow our Merlot
to fully ripen to 25° Brix to maximize varietal character.
2002 was a smaller than average harvest for us. Resulting
in plenty of concentration, deep color, and a long finish.
After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine
was transferred to new French oak to soften and mature. Careful
monitoring saw the tannins soften and full retention of the
ripe fruit aromatics. This wine shows balance and is approachable,
versatile, and compliments many types of cuisine.
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