Gnarly Head Merlot breaks the Merlot mold, and tells a story of power and finesse. Anything but classic, this wine shows off bold aromas of black currant, blackberry and notes of toasted oak, followed by juicy flavors of black cherry, ripe plum and sweet herbs with a hint of spice rounding out the finish. Supple, velvety tannins and lush fruit make this wine an ideal match for beef sliders, Tandoori chicken or even chocolate mousse.
VINEYARDS
A portion of the grapes for our Gnarly Head Merlot were harvested from specially selected vineyards within the Borden Ranch AVA, which is nestled in the eastern Sierra Nevada foothills of the Lodi, California growing region; known for producing Bordeaux varietals with rich, ripe flavors. The combination of clay soils, ideal daytime warmth and cool evening breezes lead to evenly ripened Merlot grapes full of concentration, black stone fruit flavors and nuances of heady spice characters.
WINEMAKING
Grapes for the Gnarly Head Merlot were harvested in the cool evening hours, delivered immediately to the winery, destemmed into tank and slowly warmed to fermentation temperature. After primary fermentation, the wine was gently pressed and then racked onto French and American oak for malolactic fermentation, as well as aging to integrate fruit flavors and add complexity.
Gnarly Head Merlot breaks the Merlot mold, and tells a story of power and finesse. Anything but classic, this wine shows off bold aromas of black currant, blackberry and notes of toasted oak, followed by juicy flavors of black cherry, ripe plum and sweet herbs with a hint of spice rounding out the finish. Supple, velvety tannins and lush fruit make this wine an ideal match for beef sliders, Tandoori chicken or even chocolate mousse.
VINEYARDS
A portion of the grapes for our Gnarly Head Merlot were harvested from specially selected vineyards within the Borden Ranch AVA, which is nestled in the eastern Sierra Nevada foothills of the Lodi, California growing region; known for producing Bordeaux varietals with rich, ripe flavors. The combination of clay soils, ideal daytime warmth and cool evening breezes lead to evenly ripened Merlot grapes full of concentration, black stone fruit flavors and nuances of heady spice characters.
WINEMAKING
Grapes for the Gnarly Head Merlot were harvested in the cool evening hours, delivered immediately to the winery, destemmed into tank and slowly warmed to fermentation temperature. After primary fermentation, the wine was gently pressed and then racked onto French and American oak for malolactic fermentation, as well as aging to integrate fruit flavors and add complexity.
