Bink 2002 Merlot, Hawks Butte Vineyard

Winemaker Notes:
The grapes for Bink's 2002 Hawks Butte Merlot were harvested on September 28, 2002, and yielded just 2/3 ton per acre from this young vineyard. The small crop was due to the young age of the vines and the difficult growing conditions on this hillside vineyard. The grape clusters were long and gracious and produced just 140 gallons of grape juice per ton of grapes, providing plenty of concentrated flavors in the finished wine.

The Merlot was crushed into 1/2 ton bins and cold soaked for 48 hours. After the must warmed to 50 degrees F, the bins were inoculated with BM45 cultured yeast. Primary fermentation lasted for eight days, when the must was pressed into a small stainless steel tank. The wine was innoculated with Oennococcus Oeni cultures to start the secondary malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes:
Deep garnet. Lush and earthy, like incense cedars after a rain. An ecstacy of wild mushrooms, spice and violet aromas. Silky cherry, plum and caramel flavors

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Yorkville Highlands
Harvest:	September 28th, 2002
Brix:	25.3
Alcohol:	12.75%
pH:	3.68
TA:	0.57
Fermentation/Maturation:	Eight days, BM45 yeast / 22 months; 30% Artisan French oak barrels