2018 Proprietor's Artist Series Merlot Reserve

Artist Series Merlot Reserve has been specially produced to capture the complete and complex contributions of the Merlot grape. Merlot, thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, references the color of the dark blue grape which grows as Merlot.

Merlot is often used in Bordeaux wine that's led a transition into New World wine, which emphasized its late harvesting in reaching ripeness that produces its inky, purple color. Artist Series Merlot Reserve presents itself with a full body structure followed by lush, velvety tannins overlaid with intense plum, and blackberry fruit while finishing with a lingering hint of smoke.

Artist Series Merlot Reserve is barreled in the finest Nadalié French Oak barrels from Tronçais and Allier complemented partially with a fine-grained Pennsylvania Nadalié American Oak barrel.

Only three barrels of 2018 Artist Series Merlot were handcrafted for the most exquisite and detailed Merlot connoisseur.

Tasting Notes: Balanced with a structure crafting dark berries, black pepper, plum, minerals, smoke, and toasted oak on the finish.