Our Mirassou California Merlot was sourced from several of the state's top winegrowing regions including Sonoma and the Central Coast. The fruit was sourced from select vineyards to take advantage of the different fruit characteristics each region produces. Sonoma has excellent climatic conditions, due to its San Francisco Bay cool air intrusion, which is desirable for creating deep fruit flavors. The Central Coast's hilly terrain creates multiple types of soil which produces a rich blend of flavors, enhancing the wine's complexity. The Mirassou California Merlot is primarily composed of Merlot with some additional varietals, including Zinfandel and Syrah. The Zinfandel adds some brown spice flavors and a bit of acidity, while the Syrah adds dark fruit flavors and a deep inky color. The grapes were harvested at a Brix level of 24.5. They were then gently destemmed prior to fermentation resulting in some whole-berry fermentation. Fermentation temperatures were targeted at 85° Fahrenheit for five to seven days to retain fruitiness and reduce harshness. The wine was racked every 3 to 4 months to remove the lees and allow the bright fruit characteristics to come through. The final result is a luscious, jammy Merlot that is approachable and gives a mouth full of flavor.