Merlot

Appellation: Central Coast, California

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:
“Cupcake Vineyards work hard to craft the richest, smoothest and elegantly-textured wines. This full-bodied yet smooth Merlot displays supple tannins with flavors of red cherries that evolve into decadent levels of cocoa and espresso and a smooth finish. This wine is reminiscent of that chocolate cherry cupcake.”

Food Pairing Recommendations:
Serve with pork tenderloin with a port-fig reduction sauce or decadent chocolate molten cupcake.

Winemaking Notes:
The grapes were cool fermented with a serious regimen of pump-overs in the early stages of fermentation to extract the soft tannins and color during the aqueous phase. The grape skins were then pressed before the fermentation reached dryness to maintain the wines lush tannin structure. The must was kept cool during fermentation to help create a slower fermentation and allow the wine to retain more aromatic properties as well as complexity of flavor and body. The wine was aged in premium American oak barrels — adding richness and complexity.