Phoenix Vineyards

1995 Merlot ~ Little Blackbird

Winemakers Notes:

Cases Produced: 160

Varietal %s: 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Syrah

Date of Harvest: Sept. 19-29th (Merlot), Oct. 7-Nov 2 (Cabernet Sauvignon)

Brix at Harvest: 23.0 Brix (avg)

Length of Fermentation: 6-8 days with 5-7 days additional skin contact time on avg. (Assmanshausen Yeast culture used on 60% Malo-Lactic Fermentation, No fining or filtration.)

End Alcohol:

Time in Oak: 16 months in a mix of 2 year and 5 year French Oak

Bottling Date: March 7th, 1997

This Merlot is really beginning to show the characteristics of our site at an early stage. Lots of complex coffee and chocolate aromas and flavors with some briar and cherry notes. There is also some spice interplay from the oak. The wine is showing very nicely now but can gain integration from another year in the bottle.