Steele Merlot Lake County

VINEYARDS While we are not known as a Bordeaux/cabernet kind of winery we tend to make more Chardonnay Pinot Noir and Zinfandel our location in Lake County allows us to produce several of these varieties in styles which would make our neighbors to the south a bit jealous. This vineyard grows exceptional quality Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Our vineyard lays on a gravelly bench which overlooks the Big Valley area of Lake County. The fruit from these vines have a great balance of flavors structure and tannins. WINE STYLE & TASTING NOTES Our typical winemaking style for red wines is a warm fermentation followed by pressing and racking. The wine is aged oak barrels and spends 12 months in a combination of American and French oak. While most producers of merlot tend toward the soft and supple wine style we have opted because of the quality of the grapes to make a wine in a rich generous style. Full bodied with plum and boysenberry fruit a slight note of licorice with rich m