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Wine Information
2009 Ridge Estate Merlot
Varietal Information 100% Merlot
Yields, Estate Merlot Parcels:
25 tons from 13 acres,14.2% alcohol by volume
History
Ridge first made merlot in 1974 from the exposed Point vineyard, planted on Monte Bello Ridge at an elevation of 2600'. Originally, we wanted to see if the varietal could match the quality of, and be included in, our estate cabernet. Once satisfied that it could, we planted more merlot over the years as space and resources allowed. From 1975 on, it has been a part of the Monte Bello whenever assemblage tastings so indicated. As the younger plantings matured, it became apparent that not only did merlot complement the Monte Bello, but also had the structure and complexity to merit a separate bottling..
Vintage
Harvest Dates: 28 September
Grapes: Average Brix 24.6˚
Fermentation: Destemmed/ whole berry. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic). Pressed at eight days.
Barrels: 75% new, 25% one year old. 100% air dried american oak.
Time in Barrel: Twenty months
Growing Season
Rainfall: 28 inches (below average)
Bloom: Late May
Cool spring, warm summer and fall, short growing season.
Winemaking
All estate-grown Monte Bello vineyard grapes, hand harvested. Destemmed whole-berry fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria. Minimum effective sulfur (30 ppm initially to barrels, 95 ppm over the course of aging). Fresh egg white fining for tannin reduction was done using six egg whites-per-barrel. Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.
Winemaker Tasting Notes
Garnet color. Wonderfully scented cherry fruit, vanilla bean, sweet caramel toasted oak. Very drinkable. Bright cherry fruit, supple tannins, moderately long finish. -Eric Baugher (2/12)
