Meridian Merlot, California 2004
Region: Santa Barbara County
Winery: Meridian Vineyards
Variety: Merlot

Harvest NotesThe 2004 growing season started off with textbook conditions. The spring and summer months were perfect and the grapes were ripening beautifully. A heat spike at the end of August gave them an extra push at the end of the season. Overall, the harvest gave us grapes with good color, beautiful aromas and ample natural acidity.The majority of the grapes for this wine come from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, which we have found to be well-suited to growing Bordeaux varietals. The climate, particularly in late summer, plays a significant role: the thermometer reaches well into the 90's by day, then slides into the 60's or even high 50's at night. This fluctuation allows grapes to mature with maximum daytime photosynthesis, with the cool nights helping to retain natural acids and varietal flavors.
Winemaking NotesGiven the intensely ripe, berry qualities of the grapes; this Merlot begged for a very fruit-forward, approachable style. It was fermented without extended maceration, so that the fruit's berry character would nicely balance with round and pleasant tannins. After fermentation it was racked into oak barrels with a medium-plus toast level and aged for eight months. This wine is soft and round with aromas of plum, berry, violet and spice notes that include aromatic thyme, mint and peppercorns. On the palate you will find sumptuous blackberry, succulent plum and caramel.
Appellation CaliforniaAlcohol 13.8%TA 0.06 g/100mlpH 3.56

Posted by thewinery on December 1st, 2007 at 9:51am | report comment