2008 Chicken Ranch Merlot

Ideally situated on the northern border of the Rutherford appellation, our Chicken Ranch Vineyard yields distinctive Merlot with elegant bright fruit, minerality and dried herbs. Here, the grapes enjoy a constant, warm valley floor climate and a unique soil composition that imbue the grapes with the prized hallmark of “Rutherford Dust.”

The year began with below average winter rainfall, early bud break and potentially damaging spring frost. During bloom we had hot temperatures and high winds thus resulting in poor berry set. Although these factors decreased our yields, we benefited from loose medium sized clusters and Mother Nature doing the thining for us. Summer conditions were overall mild, except for two major heat spikes at the end of the summer. Fortunately as all our vineyards are estate, we pick our vineyards in stages, often a few rows at a time, allowing for optimal maturity.

“This Merlot is more old-world in style than our other wines. A pretty wine, it showcases bright red fruit with cedar, pencil shavings, cigar box, spice and savory notes. Good acidity, soft and silky tannins, and integrated oak make this an elegant and imminently drinkable wine, and an ideal accompaniment to Italian food—I’m thinking a nice Bolognese sauce.” —Mario Monticelli

1,292 cases