2004 Reserve Merlot

2004 Reserve Merlot

Wine Notes

by Barnard Griffin

Vintage Notes

This Reserve 2004 Merlot shows the best of the “Big and Bold” 2004 vintage. The aromas of black current and blackberries are predominant. There is a spicy richness due to 100% new French oak used in barrel ageing. This wine drinks great now and has some punch worthy of 10-12 years aging.

Very attractive aromatically, featuring brooding dark fruit aromas with hints of menthol, violets, leather, minerals and dried fruit. Its intense and concentrated personality is filled with flavors of ripe cherry, bittersweet chocolate and mint. Solid acidity rounds out the silky texture. While quite approachable now, this Merlot will probably prove to be quite age worthy. Herb-encrusted lamb would be a great food selection to accompany this great wine.

Vineyards

The 2004 growing season was a hot and dry that developed red grapes with high sugars and moderate acids. All the reds from 2004 will show good structure and depth. Our Merlot has great weight and is excellent depth. The mouth feel is full of “chunky” blackberry fruit with hints of chocolate. On my Reserves, my winemaking philosophy is to always choose the finest lots from my finest vineyards and give these wines the best treatment. Here is the breakdown of my Reserve Merlot vineyard sources used in the 2004 vintage:

Wahluke Slope Vineyard Columbia Valley/Wahluke Slope
Alder Ridge Vineyard Columbia Valley
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain

Wine Making

Bordeaux yeast was used at a Max fermentation of 87 degrees F
Pump-overs 2 to 3 times daily until fermented to dryness
356 cases produced Malo-lactic positive
Aged in 100% New French oak barrels for 11 months.