COMPLETE TASTING NOTES
Chalk Hill Estate's newest Merlot reaped the benefits of the highly acclaimed 2001 vintage and carries forward the quality and stylistic thread that is typical of the Merlot from the estate. The long stretch of dry, warm, autumn weather allowed for additional hang time, fostering the slow progression toward full maturity, richness, weight, and flavor concentration. Plantings of the best merlot clones, in specific gravelly loam sites, along with rigorous viticultural standards, combine to realize our goal of “balanced vines”— vines that give grapes with a personality that speaks of their provenance.
With minimal intervention, the berries were destemmed and allowed to progress in small tanks through a largely native yeast fermentation and coaxed to extract layers of vineyard-derived flavor and concentrated texture. Aged in 50% new French oak for 21 months, and blended with additional Bordeaux varietals that amplify the voice of the estate, the wine brims with red currants, earthy plum, mocha and cigar box aromas. The sweet mid-palate punctuates the silky, supple, seductive texture that lingers through the finish.
REVIEW
Robert Parker awards the 2001 Estate Bottled Chalk Hill Merlot 89 Points
Complete Review
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Blend:
- 77% Merlot, 13% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
- Appellation:
- Chalk Hill, Sonoma County
- Ageing:
- Twenty-one months, 50% new French oak
- Harvested:
- September 10 - October 16, 2001, Brix 25.0°, T.A. 5.1 g/l, pH 3.79
- Bottled:
- August 25, 2003, T.A. 5.9 g/l, alc 14.5% pH 3.75
