Varietals:  Merlot

Appellation:  Alexander Valley

Winemaker:  Bill Arbios, formerly of Chateau Souverain

Winemaking Techniques:  After complete malolactic fermentation, the wine was placed in American oak barrels for 18 months before bottling.  Bill especially likes the way the American oak marries with Merlot's characteristics.

Cases Produced:  1,672

Tasting Notes:  The color is a deep red with purple highlights. The nose offers vanilla, black cherry and plum, with warm spices and dry herbs. The wine is sleek and elegant with good acidity and full mouthfeel. Flavors of strawberry, blackberry, pomegrante and cassis are complemented by vanilla and spice. The wine has a long finish with soft tannins and toasty oak.

Reviews:  2006 Merlot was “Merlot before it was mass produced…lip-smacking velvety, with a little complexity and guts.” Woodbury Magazine (Fall 2009)