Merlo Family
2021 Syrah
, Estate Vineyard
North Coast
Dark purple-black color with a crimson edge. The nose gives classic Syrah notes of pepper and black cherries and blueberries with a slight hint of smoke and tobacco. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by roasted espresso, and Mediterranean spice. Rich yet balanced with good acidity, this wine has great presence, and a finish that goes on and on.
The tannins are just beginning to knit themselves into what will become a silky texture and carry the wine forward for at least another 5-8 years in the cellar.
Perfect with Texas spice rubbed and grilled Porter-House steak, Potato Gnocchi pasta and tossed Mediterranean peasant salad. Try it with dessert of fig and raspberry cobbler a la French vanilla mode.
Vintage
2021 was a wonderful growing season to experience. The growing season, a full three to four weeks later than that of Napa or Sonoma, allows for a much slower ripening, increasing hang time and creating full concentrated flavors without over – ripening or depleting natural acids. A warm Summer followed by a mild September temperature allowed the fruit to ripen evenly while keeping its fine acidity.
Winemaking
Fermentation was conducted in a single open-top fermenter using only native yeast and no adjuncts. Aged for 18 months in French and American oak the wine was then bottled with a lighter filtration pad.
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Winemaker: David Georges. Ray Merlo
Aging: French/American Oak, 18 months
pH: 3.68
TA: 5.2 g/L
Alcohol Content: 14.2%
Tasting Notes 
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Nestled in far Northern California’s Hyampom Valley, far away from the tourists in Napa Valley, Merlo Family Estate is quietly making some of the most unique wines in California. The climate of the valley allows them to produce deeply flavored red wines that are beautifully balanced, and also very well priced given the difficulty of farming this land.
This wholly unique setting helps create wines that speak to the power and beauty that is Hyampom Valley. Influenced by the idyllic growing season and climate of this small pocket valley, the fruit produced in the Merlo Family Vineyards expresses a strong sense of place. Based on the concept that quality wine is grown in the vineyard, a minimalist approach is taken in the cellar, allowing the wines to clearly reflect the varietal character and distinct terroir of Hyampom Valley.
Merlo Estate Vineyards produces a rare collection of richly flavored and expressive wines. Unlike many California wines, these deep, complex wines are not high in alcohol, nor overripe in flavors. Rather, the wines are naturally big and bold, yet refined and beautiful.
Learn more at www.merlovineyards.com.
