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1996 J. Kirkwood Merlot
Reserved 10 cases have recently been re-released!
1996 is the first vintage from a three acre, south-facing, hillside vineyard located in the foothills of Mt. Veeder. Planted in 1992, the vineyard is characterized by closely spaced vines, vertical trellising, and aggressive canopy management.
Eightly percent of the vineyard is planted to Merlot with the remainder planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The wine is made using traditional barrel-to-barrel racking techniques without filtration or fining. The philosophy of wine-making is patterned after the time honored methods of the small, closely attended chateaux of Pomerol.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Date of harvest: September 11, 1996
Blend: 88% Merlot & 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooperage: 100% new Seguin Moreau oak
Months in barrels: 20
Production: 280 cases
Brix at harvest: 24.4
pH: 3.81
Total acidity: 0.52
REVIEW
"Sadly, there are only 280 cases of this knock-out merlot. The wine possesses a dense ruby/purple color, as well as striking aromatics, consisting of black chocolate, jammy berries, and pain grillé, beautifully integrated new oak, low acidity, and a plump, full-bodied rich, concentrated style. The extraordinary fruit ripeness of California's best North Coast micro-climates is accompanied by the complexity and multi-dimensional personality found in a top-quality Pomerol. This beauty should easily drink well for 10-12 years."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 1998 |
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