J. Lohr Estates

Merlot

Paso Robles

2007

Notes from the Producer

2007 was a very dry year in Paso Robles, with the seasonal total for rainfall registering a scant 4.4 inches.  Paso Robles was met with serious but short heat waves around the 4th of July and then in the beginning of August, the latter of which hit prior to veraison and had little effect on color development in our red varieties. Crop size was initially below projected in every vineyard, with smaller than average berry size–yet with excellent fruit quality, moderate tannins and deep, rich color.  This harvest temperament serves the Merlot variety well, offering ripe and juicy fruit flavors resulting from Paso Robles’ nearly extreme growing conditions.

Merlot

Traditionally, we harvest our estate-grown Merlot grapes across a range of sugar ripeness. The early picks usually capture the classic varietal definition of Merlot, while the fruit harvested later adds depth and intensity to the wine.  Clone and rootstock combinations, along with variations in soil add complexity to our 2007 J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot, as does the introduction of recently planted Italian clones.  We grow our Merlot grapes in Nacimiento-Los Osos, Arbuckle-San Ysidro and Arbuckle-Positas complex soils on our Los Osos vineyard in Paso Robles, where these well-drained but relatively poor soils have chalky or gravelly components.

Composition

88% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon

Rating: 86-88 (CaliforniaWineList)

Average Price: $13