The superb 2007 vintage began with a dry winter and spring. Inclement weather during bloom significantly reduced the size of our Home Ranch Merlot crop and its berries, greatly concentrating flavors. Mini-heat waves throughout the summer fully ripened the fruit - the best of which we selected for our Limited Selection bottling - but cool weather in September maintained high levels of acidity, ideal for producing a beautifully structured Merlot with bright, rich flavors.
The wine opens with plush, creamy aromas of dark cherry, ripe plum and black currant interwoven with lovely roasted oak, vanilla cream, wintergreen, savory herb and forest-floor spice scents. On the deeply concentrated palate, intense black cherry, dark plum and casis flavors are joined by intriguing black tea spice and salted olive tones, with round, supple tannins guiding the wine through a lengthy, fruit-driven finish. Delightful now with red wine-marinated lamb chops, grilled beef and pork tenderlin, this luxurious Merlot will develop even greater richness and complexity with another 3-5 years' aging.
July 2010