Monthaven Winery Merlot (3 Liter Octavin Home Wine Bar) 2009

With almost 30 years of experience working exclusively at wineries in California's Central Coast, artisan winemaker JeffYamamoto knows a thing or two about the area's dozens of microclimates. Starting in quality control roles, moving into the cellar, then onto general management responsibilities, Jeff's hands-on experience in every step of the winemaking process has created a stickler for the details. Crafting Monthaven at California's "largest small-lot winery" allows Jeff to keep grapes from different microclimates and vineyard blocks separate. He then uses his decade of cellar management experience to customize his barreling approach for each wine. Based on their individual characteristics, specific lots are selected for barrel fermentation or barrel aging to maximize the distinctiveness of each blend. Jeff largely prefers American oak for Monthaven wines to assure that the fruit flavors shine through, accented by balanced oak notes and agreeable tannins. The winemaking techniques applied to Monthaven wines are usually reserved for wines over $20 bottle. "My goal with these wines is to balance the fruit, acid and oak components in a way that allows the fruit to shine in the best possible light, reflecting the Central Coast expression of each varietal's nature."