Description
The 2023 Alexander Valley vintage brought a cool season, heavy rainfall, and slow ripening, resulting in dense, balanced wines with moderate alcohol. Delayed bud break and veraison pushed harvest into November. A likely cause of stalled sugar levels was deep-rooted vines absorbing water over producing sugar. The extended hang time led to excellent tannin and flavor development—a structured, age-worthy vintage worth repeating.
Bright ruby with violet undertones, this youthful Merlot bursts with high toned aromas of wild raspberry, red cherry, and pomegranate, accented by rose petal, baking spice, and a hint of crushed limestone. Lively and energetic on the palate, it delivers vibrant notes of cranberry, plum, and red cherry, with polished tannins and mid-palate complexity from white pepper and blueberry. The finish is sleek and mineral driven, with lingering black cherry and spice. More agile and lifted than its Dry Creek counterpart, it reflects Alexander Valley’s warm days and cool nights with clarity and verve. Drink through 2035.
Awards & Accolades
92 points – Wine Enthusiast
90 points – Wine Spectator
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.