<h1>2006 Reserve Block 08 Merlot -- Columbia Crest Winery Shopping Cart</h1>
<b>$35.00</b>
-- <i>"...a balanced, velvety palate of chocolate and blackberry flavors and a seductive, silky finish."<br></i>
<p>
<p><b>About this Wine<br /></b>This debut vintage of the Reserve Block 08 Merlot is part of a small selection of limited edition Reserve vineyard-designated wines from Columbia Crest. This Merlot represents the very best of vintage and varietal from the single vineyard site as picked by Winemaker Ray Einberger. Future vineyard-designated wines will vary by vineyard sites and varietals to match the high standards of the program.<br /></p>
<p><b>Tasting Notes</b> <br />"This powerful Merlot offers intense aromas of blackberry and licorice which lead to a balanced, velvety palate of chocolate and blackberry flavors and a seductive, silky finish” <em>~ Ray Einberger, Winemakers</em> </p>
<p><b>Growing Season</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>The 2006 growing season was marked by weather extremes, with near record rainfall in the Columbia Valley during the early spring and record high temperatures in the early and mid-summer.</li>
<li>Although a challenging season weather-wise, exceptional sites including the warmer parts of the Wahluke Slope saw early ripening and bold tannins from the high temperatures.</li>
<li>In the cooler growing areas, later ripening prompted good color, pronounced fruit flavors and less aggressive tannins in reds.<br /></li>
</ul>
<p> <b>Vineyards</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>Fruit was handpicked from Four Feathers Vineyard Block 08, which is nestled against a softly sloping hill.</li>
<li>Low yielding vines produce small clusters and small berries, resulting in intense varietal flavors and deep color.</li>
<li>The balance between warm daytime temperatures and cooler evenings concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.</li>
<li>Low rainfall stressed the vines, and irrigation was applied judiciously to create concentrated varietal expression.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Vinification</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>Hand-picked grapes were crushed with 30% whole berries remaining.</li>
<li>Cold soaking on the skins for two days extracted soft tannins and intense color.</li>
<li>Cold soaking on the skins for two days extracted soft tannins and intense color.</li>
<li>Fermentation, including twice-daily pumpovers, lasted 7-14 days, depending on the lot.</li>
<li>A portion of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, which occurred in primarily new French oak barrels.</li>
<li>The wine aged in a selective mix of new and older oak barrels for 18 months.</li>
<li>300 cases were produced.<br /></li>
</ul>
<p>Blend........95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon <br />Alcohol......14.2% <br />Acidity.......0.59g/100mL <br />pH............3.65 </p>
</p>
<p>
<ul style="padding-left: 15px">
<li>SKU: 30010</li>
</ul>
</p>
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