2019 Merlot

A throwback to a forgotten winemaking method. We devised a way to keep the ‘cap’ of Merlot grape skins submerged during the entirety of the fermentation, resulting in a dark yet softly extracted wine. By keeping the cap submerged, the color and flavor-rich grape skins were in constant contact with the fermenting juice, providing wonderful intensity and structure. Aromas of blueberry, cherry, and cured meat, this wine is purple-hued and concentrated. The palate displays the pure dark blueberry and plum fruits in a concentrated but curiously soft extraction from the Submerged Cap process.

VINEYARD INFORMATION:
•Vineyard planted in 1998
•Soil: silty loam
•Elevation: 850 ft
•AVA: 100% Horse Heaven Hills

WINEMAKING INFORMATION:
•100% Merlot
•100% destemmed
•3 day cold soak
•Submerged cap fermentation
•26 days on the skins
•Aged in French oak barrels

pH: 3.49
TA: 5.7 g/L
Alcohol: 14%