Vineyard
As a virtual rock quarry, Sunny Slope Vineyard’s vines were planted in holes drilled or pick-axed out of fractured stone over 20 years ago. The deep roots—a result of maturity and years of laboring for water—combine with the warm southwest exposure to produce thick-skinned grapes which give us the concentrated flavors, inky color and extracted tannins that distinguish this vineyard.

Vintage
For the most part, 1999 was a cool and dry season, with much less warm weather than normal. Extra effort was taken in the vineyard to ensure that the fruit fully ripened including; judicious irrigation to control growth and maintain uniformity and cluster thinning to promote ripening. Late September gave us the heat spell we needed to begin harvest, which went very quickly. The grapes for this wine were harvested on September 29th.

Vinification
We blended various blocks within the vineyard to create a more complex and concentrated wine. Each block was fermented in open top fermenters for 12 days and then placed in French and American oak for 19 months and bottle aged for an additional 14 months. This wine was bottled in July of 2001. Alcohol 14.6%, Total Acidity .56, pH 3.53, residual sugar .14.

Tasting Notes
This is a rich, full-bodied Merlot boasting black berry, dark chocolate and cassis notes, beautifully structured tannins and long finish. Cellar for up to 7 years.

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