Michel-schlumberger Le Sage Merlot

”Merlot vines grown at Michel-Schlumberger have an almost human sense of understanding to them. Le Sage French for the wise fittingly describes this wine that so knowingly expresses the terroir of our estate. The grapes for this wine come from several select vineyard parcels that grow in our small pocket canyon in western Dry Creek Valley. Vineyard Notes This Merlot is made from a blend of the finest blocks of our benchland vineyards. The variety of soils and clones (3 181 348) gives this wine depth and complexity. A small amount of our estate Cabernet Sauvignon is blended in to highlight the structure and classic Merlot flavors of this wine. Production Notes Fermentation: The grapes were crushed into small fermenters. After cold-soaking for three days to extract rich color the must fermented on the skins for three weeks to obtain a richly extracted wine. Cooperage / Aging: The wine was aged for 22 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker Notes Color: Deep ruby Ar