2008 SINGLE VINEYARD LIMITED MERLOT
Tasting notes
Dark purple-garnet color. Aromas of cloves, mincemeat, blackberry and ripe, dark cherry with a touch of wood smoke, vanilla cola and white oak.. The palate is full bodied with a slightly sweet entry and good mid-palate volume, cherry cola flavors and hints of mincemeat, clove spice and toast. The finish is long and well structured with nice acid to balance the alcohol.
Grapes are 100% Red Mountain AVA from Bel’ Villa Vineyard’s South Block. This wine was cold soaked overnight then inoculated with yeast, fermented for 8 to 9 days on skins while being pumped over twice daily before pressing to barrels. M-L fermentation occurred “spontaneously” in barrel. This wine was 100% barrel aged for an average of 14 months in all new oak consisting of 33% French and 67% American.
Harvest Notes: 2008 was a cooler year beginning in the spring and continuing through the summer. This delayed bud break and consequently harvest, which began about 5 to 10 days later than normal. Fall, however, was typically great. Warm days and cool nights gave the fruit enough time to ripen thoroughly and evenly ensuring great color and enough tannins for longer aging.
| Vintage | 2008 |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Merlot |
| Appellation | Red Mountain |
| Acid | 5.9 g/L |
| PH | 3.87 |
| Alcohol | 14.70% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 11/11/2009 |
| Cases Produced | 73 cases |
