1998 Merlot, McNab Ranch, Mendocino
Vintage
1998
Price
$35
Release Date
July 2001
Appellation
Mendocino
Availability
Only at the Winery
Grapes
100% Merlot
Vintage
McNab Ranch is located in Mendocino County between Hopland and Ukiah, n a small valley west of Hwy 101. McNab Ranch is farmed Biodynamically using natural composting, cover crops and beneficial insects in place of conventional farming techniques. While Biodynamic farming is complex and time consuming, the purity and balance of varietal flavor in the final wine is ample reward. On the whole the 1998 growing season was one of extremes but mostly cool and wet thanks to El Nino. At McNab Ranch, 1998 turned out to be a nearly perfect vintage for this normally warm area. Cool weather in September allowed for some additional hang time that matured and intensified flavors and preserved a good sugar acid balance. On October 8th this was just the second merlot vineyard to be harvested, long before the season ending rains in late October.
Vinification
Great care was taken to capture and preserve the unique character of the McNab Ranch. Biodynamic farming encourages a unique population of bacteria and yeasts both in the soil and on the grapes. We use the indigenous yeast to perform the fermentation yielding a flavor profile that is one of a kind. All through the winemaking process we used a "hands- off" approach, watching closely and only intervening when absolutely necessary. This wine had along slow fermentation which finished in barrel. Resting on the fermentation lees for nearly a year to build body and mouthfeel. Total aging in French oak was 16 months and was bottled unfiltered in June of 2000. 453 cases produced. 3.61 pH .59 TA .03 RS 14.6 alc.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of black cherry, anise and cocoa lead to flavors of cherry, wild plum and vanilla toast. The mouthfeel shows smooth texture and moderate tannins leading to a lingering finish.