THE VINEYARDS:

Cecil De Loach has been farming the Russian River Valley for over 40 years and was among a small group of vintners that helped define this area as one of America’s premier growing regions. This Merlot was made from vines grown at Cecil’s Los Amigos Ranch, a vineyard in the Chalk Hill district of the Russian River Valley.

THE GROWING SEASON:

2015 was an exceptionally good year for growing grapes in the Russian River Valley. Coming into the 4th year of drought we expected lower yields but the weather cooperated with a steady temperature and a punch of heat in the end causing the fruit to ripen slowly, ensuring maximum flavor development. This was our earliest harvest to date.

THE WINEMAKING:

Upon arriving from the vineyard, our Merlot is gently destemmed and crushed before being moved to tank to begin fermentation. During this process, we carefully return fermenting wine onto its own “cap” of grape skins to extract all of the color, flavors and tannins. We then press the remaining skins, and the resulting wine is aged for approximately 17 months in a combination of 20 handselected American and European oak barrels.

THE WINE:

Deep Garnet in color with notes of clove and cedar highlight the bouquet of this Merlot. A complex palate of juicy raspberries and mocha with very light tannins leads to a lingering cherry spice finish. This wine pairs very nicely with grilled lamb or a nice peppercorn steak.