Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot
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PAHLMEYER 2006 NAPA VALLEY MERLOT
Technical Notes
- Winemaker: Erin Green
- Vineyards: Waters Ranch & Rancho Chimiles
- Composition: 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alcohol: 15.2%
- pH: 3.68
- Total Acidity: 0.608
- Bottled: April 7, 2008
- Released: May 1, 2009
Winemaking Notes
The grape clusters were sorted by hand, and once de-stemmed, the berries were hand-sorted again on the way to the tank. This was followed by a four to five day cold soak, depending on flavor extraction. The fruit was then allowed to ferment with 100% native wild yeast in small open-top fermentors for two to three weeks. Near the end of fermentation, the must was gently pressed and the wine was moved to barrels where it finished its primary and secondary fermentations. Ageing continued in 80% new French oak – a combination of Taransaud, St. Martin and Cadus barrels – for almost 18 months. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
“The 2006 Merlot is highly concentrated. Extractive notes of dusty cocoa, black cherry and generous spice are accented by cassis. It is perfectly balanced and the flavors are seamlessly integrated. The tannins are big, dark and supple and the finish goes on and on.” – Erin Green