Kimmel Winery Merlot 4 Blocks
The History
Kimmel Ranch, Potter Valley, Mendocino County
Kimmel Vineyards is located in Potter Valley, Mendocino County, California. Estab-lished as Kimwood Ranch in 1963, the property is approximately 1100 acres with the vineyards at an elevation of about 1000 feet. The first Chardonnay vines were planted in 1986. The Merlot vineyard was planted in 1997. Recent grafting with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec will provide for future Bordeaux blends. Plans also call for a Cabernet Sauvignon release in 2013.
The grape
Kimmel 2012 Four Blocks Collection Merlot was produced from premium grapes grown in our Hillside Vineyard on our ranch in Potter Valley, California.
The fruit was pressed before going into the stainless fermenter then blended with our Bordeaux varietals which were aged 9 months in used French oak barrels. 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1% Petite Verdot.
Tasting note
This is is a big style Merlot that would appeal to those who enjoy red blends and wines with grit. Opaque, very dark black cherry red colored Merlot opens with a craisin, black raspberry bouquet with a hint of black currant and dark Swiss choco-late. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, smooth and fruit for-ward with flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, baked bing cherry and a slight hint of spice with a touch of oak and a smidgen of dark chocolate and black olive tape-nade. -The finish is pleasant and displays dry sticky tannins which linger for quite a while. Tastes like it has been aged a few years but is still fairly young.
SILVER San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2014