Souverain Alexander Valley Merlot 2004

Winemaker Ed Killian chose classic winemaking techniques, including pumpovers three times per day to extract and retain maximum flavor density from these high quality grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon was blended in to add depth, complexity and structure to this Merlot, which was aged 12 months in European and American oak barrels – 51% of which was new oak. As has been tradition at Souverain, Killian kept each vineyard lot of Merlot separate through aging to capture special vineyard nuances and quality opportunities when blending.

Deep ruby in color, this concentrated Alexander Valley Merlot offers aromas of ripe black plum and spicy blueberry. The wine has a core of dark fruit, a soft supple mouth-feel and well-integrated tannins. Notes of cardamom and nutmeg, which come from aging in oak barrels, meld nicely with the rich fruit and lead to a long, velvety finish.