2012 Single Vineyard Limited Merlot
March Wine of the Month
2012 Single Vineyard Limited Merlot
100% Merlot
Aroma/Flavor: raspberry / plum / dark chocolate / menthol / cinnamon / ginger / vanilla bean
Texture: full / soft / silky / bright / structured
Winemaker: Pete Hedges
Vintage: 2012
AVA: Red Mountain
Variety: 100% Merlot
Vineyard: 100% Bel'Villa Vineyard
Bottle Date: 1/30/2014
Release Date:
Production: 72 cases (12 x 750ml)
Titratable Acidity: 5.6 g/L
pH 3.65
Alcohol: 14.5%
Dark Garnet Color. Gorgeous earthy plum, cocoa and raspberry candy. Nice hint of mincemeat and leather with just a touch of cinnamon and cloves and slight toasty graham cracker finish. Bright acidity leads into a silky yet full body with flavors of plum, cinnamon, cocoa and dusty raspberry. The tannins are noticeable, very fine and draw you into a smooth and lingering finish.
Grapes are from Hedges Vineyard. The wine was destemmed and partially crushed into stainless steel fermenters where it was pumped over twice daily until desired tannin extraction was achieved. It was then pressed to barrels where it underwent malo-lactic fermentation, then racked off lees and 100% barrel aged for 9 months in 67% neutral American and 33% neutral French oak.
Harvest Notes: 2012 was another excellent and more normal vintage in Washington State, a welcome change after the cooler and wetter 2010 and 2011 vintages. The “fading” La Nina current brought warmer and more even spring and summer temperatures and an extended warm, dry autumn with perfect 80 to 85 Fahrenheit afternoon highs and 40 to 50 Fahrenheit lows without rain. The result was great set that yielded ripe, disease free fruit with good natural acidity. The resulting wines reflect the excellent qualities of the fruit and are a pleasure to drink. Probably one of the top 5 vintages I’ve been associated with in Washington State.
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Merlot |
| Appellation | Red Mountain AVA |
| Vineyard | 100% Bel'Villa Vineyard |
| Acid | 5.6 g/L |
| PH | 3.65 |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
