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1999 Merlot
Tasting Notes
This classic bottling of Merlot is extremely concentrated and ripe with juicy black cherry, currant, chocolate and spice flavors. A balanced touch of oak, from mostly new French oak barrels, adds a note of vanilla and toast in the background. The wine is supple and polished with a long and elegant finish.
The Year
The 1999 vintage worried us early on with cool spring and summer weather, but September warmed up and the grapes matured quickly. Verasion started around August 10 and was 100% complete two weeks later. Harvest began with Merlot on September 24 at Seven Hills Vineyard and finished October 18 with Cabernet Sauvignon from Pepper Bridge Vineyard. Due to variable weather conditions and a late growing season, we decided to lower the crop levels severely by
dropping fruit in early August, which assisted in the fruit reaching full maturity. We vinified each lot separately and fermented in small bins, punching down three times daily. After pressing and primary fermentation, we racked every lot into oak barrels, and inoculated for malolactic fermentation. As a group, all the 1999s show dark color, bright fruit and nice complexity.
Viticulture
Entirely estate; Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe. Founding member of VINEA.
Wine Specifics
Varietals: 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards: 85% Pepper Bridge, 15% Seven Hills
