Merlot

We harvest Merlot from some of California’s finest vineyards in Monterey, Santa Barbara and Napa Counties where the fruit develops rich, lush flavors. This wine is exceptionally well balanced, with juicy black cherry and plum flavors and just a hint of vanilla and cedar on the finish.

Vineyard Information

Main Street Winery Merlot was crafted from four of California’s premier, cool-climate, coastal appellations. Lots from Napa and Monterey Counties were blended together to enhance complexity, balance, and varietal accuracy.

Winemaking

We used the Délestage method during fermentation of our 2009 Merlot. We rack the ferment- ing wine into an empty tank, allowing the cap to settle to the bottom and then return the wine back to the original tank, splashing the juice over the cap. This helps to develop deeper color and provide greater flavor extraction. It also gives us the opportunity to remove seeds that can add harsh tannins or green flavors to the finished wine. After a 10-day maceration, the wine was transferred to a combination of new and used French oak.

Tasting Notes

Main Street Winery 2009 Merlot opens with juicy aromas of cherry and plum with spicy notes interlacing through the nose. The palate is soft and focused with a core of black cherry and dried herb flavors. Fine tannins lead to a balanced and round finish.

Technical Analysis

Composition:	94% Merlot 5% Petite Sirah 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:	80% Monterey County 20% Napa County
Alcohol:	13.5%
Total Acidity:	0.58g / 100ml
pH:	3.60
Residual Sugar:	0.22/100ml