2021 Bismark Merlot 750mL
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. This is steep ground; shared with creosote bush, grey pine, coyote and mountain lion on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Near the vineyard’s highest point we grow two small blocks of Merlot at an elevation of 2500 feet. Block 24 is west facing, planted to clone 3 on St. George. The soil is non-existent to shallow, with white volcanic Rhyolite predominating. The vines are vertically trained on 5 by 8 spacing.
Bismark Vintage 2021: Winter 2021 was extremely dry and warm, resulting in an extended bud break and bloom. Crop levels were low in 2021 from a combination of weak spring growth, small clusters, and blustery days. Summer was consistently warm and verasion was early. We had a moderate heat push in early September, further hastening the Bismark harvest. The grapes for the Bismark Mountain Merlot were harvested on September 9, 2021 at 28.4 Brix.
Winemaking: The 2021 Bismark Malbec was cold soaked for five days with a blend of non-Saccharomyces yeast, before inoculation with FX10. The wine was pressed sweet, at 7 Brix, and finished fermentation in tank, before an October barreling. Ageing was twenty-nine months in seventy-nine percent new oak coopered by Nadalie (Colbert), Maury, Treuil and Bossuet. After racking off lees in 2023 the Merlot was blended with Malbec to plump the mouthfeel and stabilize color. In Spring of 2024, leading up to bottling, a splash of Dry Creek Mountain Merlot was added for brightness.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of cherry cola dominate, accented with spiced plum, violets and tortillas toasted on a comal. Flavors of fresh butter, red plums and spices evoke fresh-from-the-oven plum tart enjoyed with a complex and toasty cup of hojicha. (Tasted 7/25/2024).
Variety 89% Merlot, 9% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon,
Vineyard Location Bismark Mountain blocks Merlot block 24, 26 Malbec, Cab block 6,. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines 28 years
Alcohol 14.7%
pH 3.67
Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.58 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar 0.07%
Avg. Brix at Harvest 28.4o
Length/Type of Aging 29 months in barrel
Oak Types 79% new oak coopered by Nadalie (Colbert), Maury, Treuil and Bossuet
Bottling Date July 2, 2024
Number of Cases 146