2019 Merlot

Sierra Oaks, Vair Play

Tasting Notes

This elegant merlot expresses aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, cedar, and espresso. You’ll taste tart cherry and notice this is a bold and age worthy wine with a refined profile and significant tannic structure. This wine will easily age another 8 to 10 years from its release in 2023, so it’s a great wine to set aside for a special occasion in the future!

Winemaking Notes

We harvested these grapes at 25 brix, the unit used to measure the amount of sugar present in the grapes that can be converted to alcohol during fermentation. We bled off a significant amount of the juice for rosé prior to fermentation, concentrating the skin to juice ratio and increasing the tannic tension and espresso notes of this wine. The wine had an extended maceration in tank after fermentation, extending the extraction period for this full-bodied wine.

Aging

Aged in one new French Oak barrel, one new American Oak barrel, and one neutral barrel for 20 months total before bottling.

Food Pairing

Pair this wine with rich foods like well marbled beef. We suggest pairing with short ribs, roast beef, beef bourguignon, or beef wellington. Horseradish cream, jus, or mushroom sauces would complement this wine. For your cheeseboards try aged cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, and gorgonzola, along with a variety of charcuterie.

Wine Specs

100% Merlot

Only 65 cases produced