Rootdown Merlot, Cole Ranch 2021 (750 ml)

100% Merlot
Harvest Date: October 14th, 2021
Tons: 1.8, Dry Farmed, St. George Rootstock, 1450 ft Elevation
100% Neutral Barrel -  No Additions
Alc. 13.5
pH 3.56
TA. 5.9 g/L
Cole Ranch
RS. Dry Malo. Dry

A bold yet elegant wine. Bergamot, grapefruit peel, black tea, cocoa nib, pencil shavings, firm tannins full body, high acid, black cherry, red mulberry are just a few things that hit the paper with the pencil.

Mike's Notes
By far the surprise grape coming off the vineyard in 2021. Each cluster looked identical to the other and there was no variation in berry size. Outstanding balance of ripeness at 22.6 brix at harvest. Because of the hangtime, the skins were thick but not bitter or astringent. Just lovely. 100% De-stemmed and used pump overs to mix the tanks. Secondary fermentation finished in the mix of neutral French oak.

Cole Ranch
Our vineyard, Cole Ranch, is the smallest Appellation in the United States at 180 acres and 44 acres producing fruit. Cole Ranch is 1 vineyard inside of 1 appellation. It sits inside of a terrarium-like microclimate and is tightly surrounded by multiple mountain ranges and hills with no other vineyards close by. Cooler and wetter than surrounding wine producing areas, its high elevation, drastic temperature swings and overall cooler climate leads to a longer growing season which preserves the acidity that is unique to Cole Ranch and creating this beautiful cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Merlot were of the original plantings in 1973 and have been dry farmed for most of their existence. The vines send their thick roots down into the valley's gravelly clay loam soil, drawing up the minerals that contribute to this wine's complexity and age ability.

Tech Sheet