Raphael 2001 First Label Merlot

Tasting Notes:
The 2001 Merlot is our best ever from Raphael exhibiting the strength and ripeness from a great vintage. Dark fruit flavors like blackberry and cassis prevail with mint, chocolate, leather and tobacco nuances. Sumptuous and dense yet at the same time tender and harmonious with layers of floral freshness. Our consulting enologist, Paul Pontallier from Chateau Margaux, has estimated the flavor development of 2001 First Label Merlot will last many years. Voted “Best Long Island Red Wine of 2005” by the New York Times.

Vintage Notes:
In the 2001 vintage, all the reds- the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon - achieved levels of ripeness that we had never seen before in 30 years on Long Island. The fall was extremely long, dry and sunny, with no rainfall at all from September 1 until after harvest was completed on the 15th of November. Sugar levels were practically off the scale. The acids were extremely soft and the tannins dense and chewy. No other year in the history of Long Island winemaking had provided a season so generous. The emotion that grips us all is, without a doubt, the sense that we are in the company of one of the great vintages.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	North Fork, Long Island
Varietal:	95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker:	Richard Olsen-Harbich
Enologist:	Paul Pontallier
Aged:	18 months French oak
Harvest:	100% Hand Harvested from 10/25 through 11/15 2001
Brix:	23.7
pH:	3.77
TA:	4.8 g/L