Nose
Aromas of cedar, blackberry and raspberry.
Palate
Flavors of pipe tobacco and blood orange that meld into fine tannins on the finish.
Growing Conditions
2010 growing season was on schedule with bud break in early April, but a cool, wet spring lead to delayed flowering and reduced fruit set. A relatively cool summer produced dramatic differences in ripening between warmer and cooler sites, with veraison extending well into September in some areas. However, naturally low yields, combined with a month of consistently warm weather from late September through late October, produced phenolic ripeness and flavor development with extraordinary natural acidity.
Source: Canoe Ridge Vineyard
Located along the broadest stretch of the Columbia River, our vineyards enjoy a wonderful climate, with warm days and cool nights yielding high quality grapes. The slope of shallow, low nutrients sandy loam soils over volcanic rock yields grape clusters and berries that are small and very concentrated in flavor and color. The result is our most concentrated and complex Merlot, amplifying the unique personality of Canoe Ridge Vineyard. Our Estate Merlot is blend comprised of grapes grown in Block 14 and 11, one of the three oldest Merlot blocks.
Bottling
Bottling Date: 04/04/2014
Aging
24 months in 100% French, 50% New Oak
