VINEYARD: Our Reserve Merlot is the ultimate expression of vintage and varietal. Crafted barrel by barrel from 6 select vineyards, only the finest lots receive the Reserve designation. The selection process for this Merlot begins in the vineyard, where we identify sites that consistently produce fruit with good tannic structure, complexity and lush fruit flavors.

VINTAGE: What began as a heartbreakingly difficult growing season with a cold, wet spring and periodic
rains throughout the summer, would become one of Sonoma’s most surprising standout vintages. As harvest approached, we knew that a single rainy day could cost us the vintage. But instead of rain, we got a miracle: 30-plus days of perfect Indian summer. What’s more, the grapes continued to gain weight late in the year, which slowed and lengthened the ripening process. This bit of serendipity combined with great weather brought our grapes to optimal ripeness. We picked the last grapes on November 11—the latest ever for us in Sonoma. A truly exceptional harvest, 2005 saw both exquisite quality and superb yields.

WINEMAKING: The best blocks from the best vineyards are kept separate throughout the winemaking process. The final blend is selected, barrel-by-barrel. Grapes for this year’s Reserve Merlot were culled, crushed and cold-soaked on their skins, then fermented in stainless steel fermenters, before going to barrel in January of 2006.