2003 Merlot
Rose Ranch, Sonoma Valley
Alcohol 15.0%, pH 3.78, Total Acidity .58, Residual sugar .05%.

Wine Notes [PDF]

Tasting Notes | Deeply aromatic, with flavors of rich, dark fruit, such as currant and black cherry, our Rose Ranch Merlot offers a satisfying mouthfeel and a subtle toastiness in the elegant finish. This wine will age nicely over the next three to five years. Enjoy with lamb sausage, vegetable ragout or grilled steak.

Vineyard | Merlot thrives in the dark alluvial soil of Rose Ranch, where the western exposure maximizes daylight hours. This vineyard, which is in transition to become certified Biodynamic with the 2008 vintage, is cultivated for small harvests of concentrated fruit. The 2004 Rose Ranch Merlot is made from grapes grown by sustainable methods. We think the result is a wine that reveals the signature characteristics of Merlot from this warm Sonoma Valley vineyard, namely: elegant chocolate and black cherry flavors with unsurpassed richness.

Vintage | Warm weather jump-started the 2004 growing season, but cooler temperatures followed, promoting an extended spring bloom. Long bloom can affect the uniformity of red grapes, which in turn can cause clusters to ripen unevenly. In our vineyards, we green drop (remove grapes while they are still green) to balance the crop, promote uniformity and eliminate late ripening fruit at the end of veraison (when grape color changes). Summer was moderate without any heat waves, but by the end of July it was clear we could expect an early harvest. Unusually low humidity and high temperatures in late August and September sent grape sugar soaring before flavors had matured. But our growers were able to manage their vineyards so that by the end of September, we had harvested an outstanding vintage. With some of the best overall quality in years, the 2004 vintage produced grapes with ripe and well-developed flavors.

Winemaking | Grapes were hand-selected, crushed and then cold-soaked on their skins for five days at 55 F. From there, they were fermented in stainless steel for 28 days at 85 F. Maceration on the skins provided maximum extraction of colors, flavors and aromas. The wine was bottled in June 2006.

Benziger Farming Practices | At Benziger Family Winery, we are dedicated to winemaking that reveals the true character of the vineyard, the varietal and the vintage in certified-sustainable, -organically grown and -Biodynamic® wines defined by individuality and the passion of the people who make them. Through our commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, we strive for sustainability and the preservation of our Sonoma Mountain family winery for generations to come.

This wine is in transition to Biodynamic and was made with grapes grown by sustainable farming methods. (With the 2008 vintage, this wine will be certified Biodynamic.) Our sustainable philosophy promotes natural vineyard management, restoration of the land and biodiversity on the estate. We believe these practices result in wines that reflect the authentic flavors, aromas and character of the vineyard.