Ridge Torre Merlot 2016

Ridge Torre Merlot 2016 is a single-parcel red from the Monte Bello estate in California's Santa Cruz Mountains, bottled as part of the Historic Vineyard Series. It comes from the south-facing Bowl block of the Torre property, planted to Merlot in 1988, where the sheltered position gives a warmer microclimate that helped in the cool 2016 season. The wine is 100% organically grown Merlot, picked on 24 September and fermented with native yeasts. It went through natural malolactic fermentation and spent 17 months in American oak, 60% of it new. The nose offers ripe bramble, red cherry and blackcurrant with anise, toasted oak and a crushed-rock note. The palate is concentrated, with firm acidity, polished tannins and oak spice, and a long, structured finish.