Winemaker's Notes

Our Merlot comes from the Kreck family estate in the southern Alexander Valley. This block is situated on a west-facing, gently sloping vineyard that reflects the natural beauty of the Alexander Valley. The grapes were hand-harvested in the early morning hours of August 9th, 2021, when the air was coolest and the night at its darkest. Once picked, the fruit was transported from the Kreck family estate to the winery in Dry Creek Valley. The grapes were hand-sorted and de-stemmed, followed by transferring the must to a stainless steel tank to begin fermentation. After completing primary fermentation, the wine was pressed to remove the skins and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was then barreled down in early 2022. This Merlot was aged for 22 months in 100% French oak before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Our 2021 Alexander Valley Merlot offers an exciting yet classic expression of the AVA’s luxury and decadence. Its aromatics are laced with hints of wild blueberry, vanilla bean, and freshly harvested black currants. This Merlot delivers a generous plushness through the mid-palate and is well-structured, with balanced acidity and tannins. The smooth finish lingers on the senses, inviting another sip.

The flavor profile balances freshly made wild berry jam—juicy and vibrant—with more decadent notes of cacao and dried rosemary. This wine is enjoyable now but also has the potential to age gracefully, further revealing its complexity through a harmony of bright and softer characteristics.

It pairs beautifully with goat cheese and truffle lasagna, seared trumpet mushrooms with duck breast, or as a complement to an aged cheese and wild-game salumi board.

Technical Data