Pedroncelli Bench Vineyards Merlot 2012
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Juicy in red plum and layered in subtle suggestions of herb and cinnamon spice, this will please a wide range of palates and pocketbooks, the wine given a year in American oak. It’s a good one for the dinner table or larger gathering.
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Grape growing since 1927 in Sonoma County for four generations. Second, third and fourth generations work side-by-side today. The Pedroncelli family farms 105 acres of estate vineyard in northern Dry Creek Valley and sources fruit from neighboring growers making regionally focused, perfectly balanced, varietally correct wines. Pedroncelli wines are made with food, friends, and family in mind. California wines with an Old-World twist. Ever since John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased his vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family's dedication to making fine wines.
The climate, where the development in ripening grapes is protected from the heat by the marine fog intrusion in the evenings, is singular and unparalleled. Pedroncelli wines are regionally focused and site specific and we’ve learned to pair the right varietal with the best site creating great character. Half of all Zinfandel planted in Sonoma County is in Dry Creek Valley; it’s been growing here since the 1860s and on Pedroncelli's ranch since the early 1900s.
As a family winery who has farmed for 80 years in the Dry Creek Valley, they want the next generations to be able to continue farming in an environmentally sensitive way. The most important statement they can make about our wine is that they are here for the long term and protecting the environment is one way they will achieve that goal.
At Pedroncelli Winery, they practice sustainable winegrowing and, over the years, they have been reducing water use, building healthy soil, and protecting the vineyard environment. This is a comprehensive approach to vineyard management that involves all aspects of farming including human resources, viticulture, soil management, water management, pest management, habitat management, and wine quality.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.