2019 Beau Terre Merlot

2019 was a solid viticultural year, with less than average yields. Winter rains came up short, and our first warm spell was in late April, but we received 5” of rain in May, giving growers a hard time getting vineyard work done. The Merlot from Beau Terre was harvested on October 2, with Brix numbers in the mid 25s, and nice pH and acidity. We saigneed at 7%, gave the grapes a 4-day cold soak, and fermented with William Selyem yeast. Temperatures peaked at 89 degrees, giving us lovely berry aromas and dark colors. The wine was pressed after 14 days at 1% Brix and it went straight to barrel to begin its evolution. The Merlot from Beau Terroir and the Raucetto Clone from Beau Terre were slow to ripen and came in on October 29. They were fermented in separate open top tanks after a 4-day cold soak and were inoculated with D254, and pressed off at 5 Brix, with soft tannins and dark color. We made the Beau Terre Vineyards blend the following June and then the final blend went back to barrel. It came out of barrel after 16 months, ready to enter the next phase of its progress.

The 2019 Merlot has lovely aromas of boysenberry, cranberry and plum, opening to gentle vanilla and cappuccino. The palate is savory and fruity with red cherry and cranberry flavors. Acidity and tannin structure the midpalate, and a nice wave of sweetness rolls across the palate on the finish.

Vintage: 2019 | Variety: Merlot | Appellation: Oak Knoll | Alcohol %: 14.8

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