2007 R. MERLO
Estate Vineyard Syrah

91 Points – California State Fair

The 2007 R. Merlo Estate Vineyard Syrah is a big and richly dark wine that has a refined balance and an elegant nature. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by characters of Italian roasted espresso, stoutly porters, and Mediterranean spices. Rich yet balanced, with good acidity, this wine has great presence, with a finish that goes on and on.   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.  At just $19.99 and free shipping on 5 or more, now is the time stock to up on this perfect summertime red.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The 2007 season in Hyampom Valley of Trinity County California made well balanced, bright, and refined wines. Spring came in cold and continued to bloom. This coolness facilitated a naturally low yielding season in turn made more concentrated flavored wines than normal. Summer was mild and constantly even in temperature. Consistent with other seasons, 2007 Summer has warm to hot days and very cool nights which preserved the natural acids in the grapes and thus brightened the rich flavors of this vintage. Tannins of this year for the red wines turned out to be smoother than normal and less tannic which balanced out the elegance of our wines. Overall, 2007 was an excellent consistently smooth season which yielded concentrated well balanced wines which enabled us to continue our family legacy of making small lots of honest hand crafted wines that accentuates varietal characters.

Grape Source:  Hyampom Valley Ranch, Trinity County, CA
Aging:  14 months in 50% French and 50% American oak (20% new oak)
Acid/pH:  .60 / 3.58
Harvest Brix:  25.3
Residual Sugar:  0.2%
Alcohol Content:  14.4%
Bottling Date:  September 2009
Production:  1,500 Cases

Tasting Notes  PDF

About The Winery...

R. Merlo Estate Vineyards is located along the banks of the wild and scenic South Fork of the Trinity River and at the base of South Fork Mountain, the longest contiguous ridge in the continental United States. 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 R. Merlo Estate 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.

R. 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.rmerlo.com.

<< previous  |  next >>