Raphael 2005 Saignee Rose

Tasting Notes:
The French term meaning, “to bleed,” our Saignée is produced using the traditional methods of rosé production used in Anjou and Provence. During crushing and right before fermentation, the merlot juice is drawn off or “bled” from the vats so that just a hint of color remains. Fermented in stainless steel at 50 degrees F. to retain the bright fruity character of the merlot grape. Flavors of strawberry, cherry and guava are balanced by an underlying earthiness. A moderate alcohol content along with the elegant character of this dry rose make it the perfect compliment to summer cuisine. Our best Saignee to date.

Vintage Notes:
2005 started cool and wet but by May the weather changed dramatically. From mid May until early October, the North Fork experienced the warmest and driest growing season in 60 years. Berry size was small and concentrated. Ripeness accelerated throughout the summer to a point were we were 2 weeks earlier than average. Early October rains did little more than delay harvest. Once the grapes were picked it was clear we were looking at the finest vintage since 2001. Only younger sections of our merlot vineyard are used in the Saignée and are typically harvested earlier than selections used for our red wine program. Our 2005 is slightly deeper in color compared to past vintages due to the extreme level of ripeness in the fruit and subsequent high degree of pigment in the grape skins.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	North Fork, Long Island
Varietal:	100% Merlot
Winemaker:	Richard Olsen-Harbich
Enologist:	Paul Pontallier
Aged:	100% Stainless Steel
Harvest:	100% Hand Harvested on Oct. 1-16 2005
Brix:	22.5
pH:	3.5
TA:	8.5 g/L