Dashe Cellars 2002 Merlot - Iron Oak Ranch

$26.00 -- Potter Valley, Mendocino

Purchase Dashe Cellars 2002 Merlot - Iron Oak Ranch

Vineyard Notes:
If ever a California vineyard could produce Merlot that had the floral aromatics, the wonderful intensity and density, and the velvety texture of a wine made in, say, Pomerol or St. Emilon, the Iron Oak vineyard in Potter Valley is just that vineyard.

Dashe's 2002 Merlot from Iron Oak vineyard has solidified the belief that this is one of the best Merlot vineyards in the region. The quality of the red-rock soil, the elevation of the vineyard (which is high in the mountains of Mendocino county where Potter Valley is located), and the expertise of Bill Domenichelli, a great grape-grower, all work to make an superb Merlot.

Winemaker Notes:
The quality of the wine is all the more surprising because we are not big fans of California Merlots. But when we saw the quality of the grapes on these vines, and tasted the complexity and intensity of the fruit, we couldn't refuse to make this wine. The vines are just beautiful: perfectly manicured rows of vines sporting a small crop of tiny, jet-black grapes. When I tasted the berries, I knew that they could make a merlot that was more reminiscent of the elegant wines I tasted in Bordeaux than a typical California merlot.

Tasting Notes:
The wine with its velvety complexity complements a wide range of foods. The nose is perfumed with black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, lavender, and a hint of French oak. In the mouth, the fruit contains classic elements of black cherry, cassis, chocolate, and vanilla. The texture of the wine is simply seductive, with the intensity of the fruit balanced by a velvety, luscious mid-palate. The balance of the wine is ideal, with a lovely firm acidity balancing the sweetness of the fruit, and a long, elegant finish of fruit and sweet chalky tannins. The flavors last for minutes after swallowing, showing the complexity and structure of a great food wine. This merlot should improve for at least eight years and will last for many years after.

Color:	Deep, dark ruby.
Aroma:	Lavender, black cherries, raspberries, chocolate, spice and dried herbs, vanilla.
Taste:	Wonderfully complex and balanced fruit, raspberries, cherries, plums, with firm acidity, notes of earth and herbs of Provence spice, sweet velvety midpalette of chocolate and vanilla, finishing with long, sweet, complex cherry kirsh fruit.

Technical Notes:

Varietals:	90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:	Potter Valley (Mendocino County)
Alcohol:	14.3 % by vol.
Time in oak:	14 months
Oak:	100% French; 18% new
Production:	411 cases, 750mL
Release date:	February 1, 2005
Optimum time:	2005-2016

Return to Dashe Cellars Wine List

Purchase Dashe Cellars 2002 Merlot - Iron Oak Ranch

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Dashe Cellars 2003 Zinfandel - Todd Brothers Ranch -- Alexander Valley

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