2005 Single Vineyard Limited Merlot
Tasting notes
Very dark garnet/purple color. Opulent, concentrated dark red to black fruit (blackberries, cassis, plums and black cherries and just a hint of citrus) beautifully balanced by smokey, spicy (nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black licorice), sweet (butterscotch and vanilla) oak. Full bodied with sweet, concentrated black fruit and spicy toasted oak flavors. Very concentrated, slightly sweet and nicely structured with a long finish.
Grapes are from Hedges Estate Vineyard and Red Mountain Vineyard picked the third week of September, the ideal time in 2005 to pick these two vineyards. Aged 21 months in 30% American, 10% Hungarian and 60% French Oak. 100% new oak.
Harvest Notes: 2005 was a banner year in the vineyards. Mostly even temperatures and little wind and rain during bloom made for nice set. The summer was hot, but not too hot, and typical fall ripening conditions of warm days (80-85) and cool nights (45-50) began in mid-September and continued through October. Our philosophy of picking at optimum flavor maturity made us pick earlier maturing varieties at warmer sites as early as the third week of September and cooler site fruit the last week of October. Another great vintage from Red Mountain.
| Vintage | 2005 |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Varietal Composition | 75% Hedges South Block & 25% Red Mountain Vineyard Blocks F, G & H Merlot |
| Acid | 5.7g/L |
| PH | 3.79 |
| Alcohol | 14.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 151 cases |
