2010 Tucker Merlot “Moon Vineyard” Carneros
Experienced winemakers often say that “a wine is made in the vineyard”. The 2010 Tucker Merlot epitomizes that belief. This wine’s grapes were dry farmed in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Carneros has a cooler climate and longer growing season compared to other Napa Valley areas, which allowed the fruit to ripen more slowly.
In addition, meticulous care was taken to thin the fruit clusters and properly control the canopy. This combination promoted intensity, complexity and balance in a wine that exhibits all the classic varietal aromas and flavors. Black cherry, blackberry and cigar box, along with sage, pencil lead, cocoa, sweet soft tannins and some earthiness give this wine its lively Bordeaux character.
The wine was aged in 100% French oak (100 percent new) for 20 months, and bottled in the summer of 2012.
Produced and bottled by Tucker Wines, Saratoga, California
100% “Moon Vineyard” Merlot, Carneros
Brix at harvest 24.4
Alcohol 13.5
pH 3.49
TA 5.8g/L