G3 By Goose Ridge Merlot 2014

GOOSE RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARDS AND WINERY

is a family-owned and operated winery dedicated to limited production, handcrafted wines from select, estate-grown grapes. The Monson family's vineyard is planted on a south-facing slope in Washington's Columbia Valley adjacent to Red Mountain that consistently yields rich, ripe grapes. The family has farmed in the Columbia Valley for four decades and is known for their commitment to quality. Goose Ridge Vineyard is built on that tradition.

THE VINTAGE
2014 vintage is one of the hottest growing seasons on record. The warmth began early in the growing season and continued uninterrupted with almost of two weeks of temperatures in the high 90s or 100s. The consistent warmth allowed sugar to develop quickly in many varieties. By mid-September, the heat began to moderate with perfect cooler temperatures prevailing for the remainder of the season. The result was a well-paced, balanced maturation of flavors for the remainder of the harvest. Vineyard canopies were carefully managed to protect grapes from the extreme heat and sun. De-leafing and deficit irrigation was moderated during this vintage to allow the vines to cope with the hot season.

WINEMAKING
The fruit for this wine was sourced from some of the premier upper blocks of the estate. The 2014 vintage allowed for optimal, long hang time in the vineyard. The wine was pumped over twice daily until a balance of color, structure, and flavor extraction had been
achieved. Malolactic fermentation on oak smoothed and softened the wine. The wine matured for 10 months on oak (with 35% new oak). A blend of grapes sourced from different clones and blocks across the vineyard created complex flavors and a true expression of our estate Merlot.

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES
The 2014 g3 Merlot has a rich, aromatic expression of dark cherry and blackberry, supported by toasty notes of savory spices. The dark fruit flavors continue to linger on the palate over an elegant medium-grained tannic structure leading to a long, yet soft, finish.