Appellation:

Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, Ca

Vineyard:

Michael’s Vineyard was planted by the Joyce family in 1990.  This vineyard which lies on a 42% slope is 100% merlot.  Owner/Winemaker Frank Joyce created this vineyard by pirating some very special clones from an extremely sought after vineyard in the Pomerol region in France. After smuggling these clones back to the U.S. it took several years of grafting before this vineyard was able to come to life. Like Russell’s Vineyard, Michael’s Vineyard is situated in chalk rock ladden soil and struggles to produce under ¾ of a ton of fruit per acre. This vineyard produces very small clusters and berries which translates into very complex wine. This vineyard is 100% organically hand farmed by the Joyce family. Every cluster is hand picked every year to ensure only the finest fruit is chosen to create a complexity and richness seldom found in a California merlot.

Case Production:

Limited

Alcohol:

14.4%

P.H.

3.72

Sugar:

0.00%

Malolactic:

100% Malolactic Fermentation

Fermentation Technique:

Segium Moreau; tight grain French Oak; 2 years; 100% new oak.

Tasting Notes:

This special merlot has a complex nose of layered berries which leads into rich elegant ripe blackberry, boysenberry and finishes off with a hint of cedar, toasty oak. These flavors combined with tannis that are structured but gentle leave and illustrious lingering sensation on one’s palate that keeps them coming back for more.

Retail:

$45.00 per bottle

Bottled:

February 2009