2017 Sebastiani Merlot, Alexander Valley
92 Points - Wine Advocate
Available Starting March 22
Winemaker Notes
Dark red in the glass, our 2017 Alexander Valley Merlot is rich, displaying bold dark berry and cherry aromas followed by a savory background. French vanilla and rich chocolate notes fill the nose. On
the palate, juicy bright cherry flavors are complimented by warm vanilla and baking spices that create a long and lingering finish.
Composition
100% Merlot
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Harvest Date
September 20 through October 18, 2017
pH
3.45
Aging
18 months in French oak, 30% new
Bottling Date
June 2019
Tannin
0.69 g
Alcohol %
14.1
Wine Advocate
92
Production Notes
After a three-day cold soak, we crushed and fermented the grapes in stainless steel tanks. After pressing, each lot was blended or egg-white fined depending on flavor, color and tannin concentration. The wine
was aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels.
Vineyard Notes
The Alexander Valley is located north of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. It is one of the warmer AVAs in the region making it the perfect spot for red Bordeaux grapes. The majority of the fruit for our 2017 Merlot comes from the Lyon Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. The fruit comes from well drained, alluvial soils located next to
the Russian River in the northern Alexander Valley. This adds concentration and distinct minerality notes.