2000 Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County
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Vintage
2000
Price
$38
Release Date
February 2005
Appellation
Sonoma County
Availability
Select Markets Nationally
Vineyards
- Rose Ranco Salina
- Pusich
- Sunny Slope
- Ash Creek
Download
- Wine Notes [.pdf 372k]
Vintage
Each year, as part of our Reserve program, we select the best blocks from the best vineyards, which are then kept separate through the winemaking process until being selected, barrel-by-barrel, for the final blend. Vintage 2000 provided us with excellent fruit. The growing season began with the warmest winter on record, which gave way to a very warm spring punctuated by a record heat spell in mid June. The warm weather moved us two to three weeks ahead of schedule. A more temperate summer followed, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly. The long, drawn out harvest yielded extremely high quality fruit giving us wine with tremendous body and texture.
Vinification
Grapes with the finest track record were culled, crushed and cold-soaked on their skins by lot for two to four days at 55 degrees, then fermented for eight days in stainless steel fermenters at 85 to 95 degrees. Maceration on the skins for 14 to 17 days provided maximum extraction. The wines underwent malolactic fermentation and were aged in 100% French oak barrels for 25 months. Alcohol 14.5%, Total Acidity .59, pH 3.73, Residual Sugar .06%. Bottled December 2002. 444 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
It is very luscious in texture, intensely flavored (black cherry, toasted oak, cassis, and tobacco), and very long and persistent on the finish. Enjoy this with dishes that highlight its intense fruitiness and texture, such as prime rib of beef, lamb sausages, or beef tortillas.
Terry Nolan, Winemaker