Description
Purple magenta in color with aromas Cherries, boysenberries and vanilla. Flavors of currants, plums, blueberries and toasted oak. Diamond Collection wines are classic California expressions that offer fruit-forward, multi-dimensional flavor and immediate drinkability. With Merlot the objective is to create a wine that has structure and complexity, but soft, smooth tannins. We find that sourcing fruit from several different appellations works best to give us a Merlot that exudes multiple layers of flavor and a nice seductive texture, so we combine fruit from Paso Robles, Sonoma and Monterey County. Our Paso Robles grapes deliver sweet fruit flavors, spice notes and earthy, mineral nuances; our Sonoma fruit contributes natural acidity to create more balance and finesse; and Monterey County grapes provide richness and concentration. Both northern California and the central coast appellations experienced chilly spring temperatures and heavy rains in 2011, which reduced our overall crop size. Waiting for that late, warm fall to arrive pushed harvest out weeks later than normal. But having less fruit and extra hang time allowed our Merlot to develop an intense fragrance and beautiful flavor concentration.
