VINEYARD
Schmidt Family Vineyard
Grants Pass, Oregon

HARVEST
Tons: 3.02
Harvest Date: 10/20/2018
Harvest Method:  Hand Picked.

PH @ Harvest: 3.51
Brix @ Harvest:  24.6

FAQS
Production style: Cold Soak for 24 hours. Macro-bin Fermentation. Pressed to tank post-fermentation. Settled for 3-5 days and then racked to barrels to age for 45 months. 

Aged 45 Months in barrel. 

Wine ABV:  14.6%
Wine pH: 3.65
Filtration:  CrossFlow

BOTTLED
Cases: 96 (12x750ml)
Bottle Date: August 2022
Release Date: January 2024
Label: Color Series

WINEMAKER
Aurora Cória
rori@coriaestates.com
503.999.5678

I love working with Merlot because she is subtle and quiet, but leaves a lasting impression. This wine is very tame from start to finish. I chose to spice her up a little by using Puncheons for part of the barrel selection and aging. These are large style barrels that equate to almost twice the gallonage as a traditional barrel. A traditional barrel holds 228 Liters, and a Puncheon holds 400 Liters. The principle here was that your surface area ratio to wine is much less, thus providing slower and softer oak exposure over time. I feel that was accomplished with this wine as it has soft floral aromatics, with subtle hits of oak spice that don’t overpower the wine. The new oak complements the wine well especially from this very hot and dry vintage from Applegate Valley.