Winemaker Notes
This vintage of our most celebrated Merlot continues the story of a vineyard steeped in history and craftsmanship. It begins with the vibrant allure of Bing cherries interwoven with the delicate fragrance of rose petals. As it unfolds, layers of cocoa and slate emerge. On the palate, the richness of plum and fig take center stage; its lushness framed by Three Palms’ signature dusty tannins and earthy minerality resulting from warm days and rocky well-drained soils.
Production
Winter and spring provided ample rain, which allowed the vines to set a generous crop with excellent canopies. Budbreak arrived a little over a week early, and we enjoyed warm, steady weather throughout spring and summer. We began picking Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Merlot as early as mid-August, but the first big push began after a Labor Day heat event, when our generous canopies paid dividends, helping shade the grapes. After a busy few weeks, a cool spell allowed the remaining grapes time to mature. To counter the impact of modest mid-September rains, we applied a careful fruit drop, and were equally diligent during sorting. Overall, harvest lasted eleven weeks, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse and dynamic acidity.