Plumpjack Merlot

Vintage 2014 was a vintage to remember. We saw an unseasonably warm and dry winter which resulted in budbreak about three weeks earlier than normal. The temperatures remained warm throughout spring bringing early bloom. The summer months brought ideal weather which gave our grapes some time to develop flavor without rapidly accumulating sugar. We saw a heat spike in September that sent some vintners scrambling but we held fast and our grapes made it through in great condition and the results were wines with great beauty depth and grace. Fermentation & Aging Our Merlot grapes were cold soaked for three days before the onset of fermentation. The fermentation was then allowed to reach a maximum temperature of 92 °F and pressed off the skins after 11 to 12 days. The wine was then moved into oak barrels where they underwent malolactic fermentation. 75% of these barrels were new barrels and the balance were once-filled barrels. 88% of our Merlot barrels were French oak Borde