Winemaker Notes
With fresh notes of blueberry and black plum, this Merlot is accented by hints of warm baking spice. It continues to impress, with a dense and lush texture supported by firm, polished tannins. It showcases the distinctive character of Atlas Peak, combining richness with structure and balanced acidity brought on by the porous volcanic soil for which the region is known.
Production
Winter and spring provided ample rain, which allowed the vines to set a generous crop with excellent canopies. Budbreak arrived a little over a week early, and we enjoyed warm, steady weather throughout spring and summer. We began picking Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Merlot as early as mid-August, but the first big push began after a Labor Day heat event, when our generous canopies paid dividends, helping shade the grapes. After a busy few weeks, a cool spell allowed the remaining grapes time to mature. To counter the impact of modest mid-September rains, we applied a careful fruit drop, and were equally diligent during sorting. Overall, harvest lasted eleven weeks, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse and dynamic acidity.