2020
Virginia Merlot
Winemaker Notes:
Initially the wine shows an upfront fresh berry note with strawberry
and black cherry leading the way. This then shows some subtle cassis, plum and lemon
touches. All these fruits are enhanced
by the Sweet Tart/Jolly Rancher candy quality.
This candied fruit quality is balanced with a touch of cocoa and vanilla
with a hint of perfume. The tannins are
very soft and pair well with the like oak nuance. The finish is clean and fruit forward.
Vintage:
This was a tough year on many counts. The winter started mild and was somewhat
uneventful with moderate temperatures.
Then in April and May Virginia was hit with some severe frosts devastating
some growers. We then had a very wet
start to the summer which proceeded to dry up with some extreme heat days. The rains then remerged in September making
for difficult conditions with the grapes ripening. The rains did not completely dissipate for the
remainder of harvest and did allow for some nice days to work.
Blend
100% Merlot
Harvest
The Crown Merlot was harvested on 30 September at 19.8 brix,
3.53 pH and 5.24g/L TA. The Charlottesville
Merlot was harvested on 08 October at 20.4 brix, 3.64 pH and 4.72g/L TA.
Vineyard Source:
Crown Vineyards, Covesville, VA – 85%
Charlottesville Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA – 15%
Fermentation
The Crown Vineyards Merlot fermented in stainless steel for
9 days with Tango Malbec Yeast. The Charlottesville
vineyards Merlot fermented in stainless steel for 7 days with Tango Malbec
Yeast.
Aging
12 Months in 81% French oak, 19% Hungarian Oak
Bottling Date
17 March 2022 – 650 cs
Release Date
April 2022
Technical
Information
12.1% Alc.
3.56 pH
6.46 g/L TA
0.25% RS (dry)
