2017 Foley Sonoma Merlot, Alexander Valley
Winemaker Notes
This 2017 Alexander Valley Merlot introduces itself with enticing scents of
blueberry, mulberry and vanilla. On the palate, a medium body brings
forth flavors of blue and black berries with a delicate mocha finish. We
recommend pairing with roasted vegetables or grilled bison hamburgers.
This wine will continue to evolve with time. Enjoy now through 2027.
Composition
79% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot,
2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Zinfandel
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Acid
6.4 g/L
pH
3.62
Aging
17 months in French oak, 40% new
Alcohol %
16.4
Production Notes
For 2017, we selected fruit from the biodynamic, Eco Terreno vineyard in
the Alexander Valley. Following harvest, the grapes were fermented in
stainless steel tanks and then racked to French oak barrels. After aging for
17 months in barrel (40% new), the wine was bottled.
Vineyard Notes
Harvest 2017 was an excellent vintage in the Alexander Valley. A relatively
cool ripening season in August was followed by a four-day, 115 degree heat
spike, which pushed all fruit that was on the fringes of ripeness well into
full maturity. Luckily, grape quality was not compromised, and once the
fruit arrived, it was fantastic to work with. Although the heat spike was
much maligned at the time, all of our fruit, aside from a single block of
Cabernet Franc, was in and processed by the time the fires hit at the
beginning of October.