Composition
97% Merlot
3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards
- Pahlmeyer Estate Vineyard,
- Rancho Chimiles,
- Stagecoach,
- Caldwell Vineyard
Critics
92 Points
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #162, December 2005
The 2003 Merlot is one of the top three or four Merlots in California. A huge nose of melted chocolate, roasted coffee, black cherry, and charcoal jumps from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, sexy Merlot. It is a delicious, savory, heady wine.
90 Points
James Laube, Wine Spectator, June 2006
Appealing for its broad display of fruitiness, with cherry cola, cherry candy and black cherry fruit that's well-centered, turning supple at midpalate yet firming up on the finish.
90 Points
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006
Bright ruby-red. Black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate and menthol on the aromatic nose. Softer and lusher in style than the comparatively dense and more primary 2004, with flavors of dark raspberry, licorice and dark chocolate. Nicely supple merlot, with harmonious acidity and slightly elevated tannins.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Erin Green
- Alcohol:
- 15.1%
- Harvested:
- September 17 to October 14, 2003
- Bottled:
- August 26, 2005
- Released:
- February 1, 2006
The grapes were given a five-day cold soak before fermentation, fermented on their own natural yeast, and aged nineteen months in 100% new French oak barrels. The wine was bottled with neither fining nor filtration.