Evoking a dark berry coulis brushstroke, this Merlot presents a nearly black core with a shimmering ruby edge. The palate is complex and layered, with notes of wild blackberry, sandalwood, brown butter and orange peel. A gorgeous mouth-feel showcases an alluring shale-like minerality and fresh acidity on a firm bed of sweet tannins.
Composition
85% Merlot
13% Cabernet Sauvignon
2% Malbec
Vineyards
- Pahlmeyer Estate Vineyard,
- Rancho Chimiles,
- Stagecoach
Critics
94+ Points
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2014
One of the most beautiful wines of the year, the 2011 Merlot is endowed with tremendous energy...which simply proves just how great this overlooked vintage is in the right spots. Graphite, smoke, tar, licorice and plum notes meld into the finish. This is a knockout wine from Pahlmeyer.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Erin Green
- Alcohol:
- 15.2%
- Harvested:
- October 20 to November 2, 2011
- Bottled:
- May 31, 2013
- Released:
- February 18, 2014
The grape clusters were hand-sorted, and once de-stemmed, the berries were sorted again by hand on the way to tank. After four to five days of pre-fermentation cold maceration in small open-top fermentors, the fruit began 100% native yeast fermentation. Two to three weeks later, the fruit was gently pressed and moved to barrel where it finished primary and secondary fermentations. The wine continued to age in 80% new French oak – a combination of Taransaud and St. Martin barrels – for eighteen months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
