2014 Foley Johnson Estate Merlot, Rutherford
Winemaker Notes
The 2014 Estate Merlot holds beautifully dark aromas of plum, blueberry and floral violets. These aromatics
perfectly complement and intensify the earthy black cherry, boysenberry and dried sage notes on the palate.
A few subtle notes of cedar, baking spice and cocoa can be found lingering on the long finish alongside silky
tannins that add body and structure. This is a deep, rich wine that delivers a truly exceptional mouthfeel
while showing its elegance and complexity.
Food Pairing Notes
Pair this dynamic wine with grilled sausages and carmelized
onions or alongside a seared ribeye steack with fresh rosemary.
Composition
83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Rutherford
Harvest Date
October 28, 2014
Acid
4.9 g/L
pH
3.88
Aging
20 months in 30% new French, Hungarian and American oak
Bottling Date
July 11, 2017
Alcohol %
15.6
Production Notes
The Foley Johnson Estate Merlot is grown on gravelly soils that provide ample drainage to decrease the vigor of
foliage growth. These ideal growing conditions allow our Bordeaux varietals to reach full maturity on the vine
without taking on the green leafy taste of under-ripened fruit. The Merlot was harvested October 28, 2014 under
clear night skies. The wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation and was racked four times throughout the
barreling process. After 20 months of aging in 30% new French, Hungarian and American Oak barrels, the wine
was bottled in July 2016.
Vineyard Notes
2014 was a fabulous vintage, giving us wines of both finesse and concentration. Spring and summer were of
moderate temperatures. By October, the weather cooled slightly, but remained dry and sunny allowing the vines to
reach full maturity prior to the rains. Overall the weather was nearly ideal, with conditions that allowed the grapes
to have an exceptional level of acidity without being over ripe. We brought in a bountiful crop of very tasty fruit!
