Nose
The wine jumps from the glass with a brilliant, high-toned fruit nose of flowers, freshly cut fruit and cherry liqueur backed with subtle, integrated spicy oak.
Palate
This classic Leonetti Merlot presents soft but dense sweet fruit on the pallet as fully ripe, mellow tannins disappear into a long, seamless finish.
Growing Conditions
Much like 2002, the 2003 vintage was incredible for its lack of precipitation. While Eastern Washington normally has little growing season of rain – to have vintages completely devoid of rain is quite unusual. In its’ place were our usual glorious warming sunshine and refreshingly cool nights. Springtime bloom occurred without event, resulting in even set and eventual ripening.
Harvest
The year gave us wonderfully small berries full of color and concentrated flavor. Due to consistent warm temperatures, harvest for Merlot came in two relatively early volleys, the 2nd-7th of September, and Sept. 20th-24th for our cooler sites.
