2017 Merlot Sangiacomo Vineyard Palmer Ranch

TASTING NOTES

Dark ruby-purple in color, this Merlot gives tremendous amounts of fresh plumb and ripe black fig aromas. The medium tannins hold together and emphasize all that fruit on the palate with aromas of violets, fresh cracked pepper, and vanilla bean. Texturally, this wine is full-bodied and

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Merlot is enjoying a well deserved increase in popularity! Many years ago in Sonoma County, large swaths of Merlot land were replanted over to other varieties as consumer demand began to change. However, growers who had the best Merlot parcels did not pull them out, knowing that the quality of their vineyard would ride out the storm of those shifting attitudes. That is exactly what happened with the Sangiacomo family as they farmed this Palmer Ranch parcel just south of the Sonoma town Square. They knew the land was suited to Merlot and produced consistent, high quality grapes. There’s not much acerage, but the little bit of Merlot that’s there is fantastic: darkly pigmented, highly flavored, and downright exciting! We’re proud to partner with the Sangiacomo family and excited to share this incredible Merlot with you!

THE VINTAGE

2017 started with above average rainfall in Sonoma County. Then, a warm and dry summer punctuated by heat waves rolled into a harvest that made for beautiful wines. Harvest timing was paramount in 2017, and we picked this Merlot at exactly the right moment of balance.