SE Boushey Vineyard Merlot
The Vintage
1999 was a fabulous vintage. Ideal growing conditions coupled with proper crop-lad resulted in superb quality fruit from the Boushey Vineyard. In my 15 years of winemaking I have rarely witnessed better colored reds or wine structure!
The Grapes
The Merlot grapes used to make this wine hail from one of our state's finest, namely the Boushey Vineyard. The site is located due north of the Yakima Valley appellation in Grandview. The vineyard faces south on a moderate to slight slope. This soil is extremely rocky. Cabernet Sauvignon represents 3% of this blend. The Kestrel View Estate Vineyard provided the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The Kestrel site faces due south. The soil is quite sandy (coarse sand) and shallow. From the standpoint of quality, it is considered one of Washington State's top 5 Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards.
The Winemaking
The fruit was handpicked and sorted to ensure only the ripest-healthy primary clusters were destemmed and crushed into the stainless steel tank. The strain D-254 was used to conduct the yeast fermentation which lasted eleven days. Upon completion of fermentation, the tank was drained and the pomace was lightly pressed. After settling for two days, the young wine was then racked to French and Hungarian oak barrels where it aged 21 months. Malolactic fermentation was conducted in the barrels.
The Wine
Very dark red-purple in color. The aromas are ripe bramble-blackberry and black sweet cherries. The flavors echo that of aromas with elegant toasted oak and dusky rose notes. The body is medium plus to full with a firm-crisp yet juicy mouthfeel and finish.
| PH |
|
3.56 |
| TA |
|
6.1 g/liter |
| ALC |
|
13.9% |
| RS |
|
0.1 g /liter |
| Blend |
|
97% Boushey Vineyard Merlot
3% Kestrel View Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Cases |
|
117 |
| Release Date |
|
November 2002 |
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|
Kestrel Signature Edition Wines
Kestrel Winemaker Select Wines
Kestrel Ultra-Premium Wines
Kestrel Table Wines
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