2008 Star Lane Merlot

2008 Star Lane Merlot


Price: $36.00


Star Lane Vineyard is located at the far eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, in the new “Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara” appellation.  With only a small portion of the vineyard planted to Merlot, this varietal is a small but important part of our program.  Planted on both the upper and lower portions for the vineyard, our Merlot is notable for its concentration.
WINEMAKER NOTES
  • We remove all raisins and green material from the fruit in addition to imperfections that were missed on the hand-sorting table.
  • Co-fermentation, including both the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon portions of the blend directly in the fermenter with the Merlot, brings a tremendous sense of harmony and balance to the wine.
  • Three to five days of cold soak are followed by a moderately warm fermentation with only native yeast.
  • Free run wine is moved to the barrel “dirty” and after a light fining our Merlot was bottled unfiltered.

VINTAGE NOTES
The 2008 vintage included weather such as heavy winter rains, spring frost and then a wild heat wave.  All of which we navigated with great success. Our diligent effort in the vineyard reduced with vines vigorous canopies and green harvest.  Fastidious sort work was also required.  The 2008 vintage presents beautifully in the glass because a smaller crop size created highly concentrated flavors.

TASTING NOTES
Our 2008 Merlot begins with scents of blackberry, mocha, vanilla and wild sage.  The palate is lean but pretty.  There is a great balance between red and black fruit presence which is accentuated by a taste of bitter chocolate and fresh cacao beans.  The wine finishes with black olive with an emphasis on the mocha and chocolate character of the wine.