Kenwood Vineyards 2008 Reserve Merlot

Fruit aromas of black raspberries combine with subtle notes of pomegranate and mushroom; rich full mouthfeel with firm tannins and an excellent finish.

The 2008 Reserve Merlot was chosen from our finest barrel lots produced from our best vineyards located in the Dry Creek and Sonoma Valleys.  The grapes used to produce this blend were grown on our own estate vineyards. The production was limited to less than one percent of Kenwood Vineyards' Merlot production. 

2008 started with a mild and dry spring that gave way to an early summer warm spell in June.  The rest of the summer and fall were temperate, slowly ripening the grapes until they were picked in late September and October. After being harvested, they were crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks for 14 to 18 days.  The wine was then aged in French oak barrels for 21 months.  After aging, the wines were tasted, selected and blended before being bottled in August of 2010.