Homewood Winery, Merlot Late Harvest 2013, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, CA

This dessert Merlot is dark and complex with stewed plums, and coffee, with blackberries and chocolate on the palate. It has just enough acidity to balance, and the tannins are soft and well-integrated.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Dry Creek Valley

REGION: North Coast 

SUBREGION: Sonoma

VINEYARD: Hawkins Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2013 

GRAPES: Merlot

SOIL: River rock bottom, sand, rocks, clay (loam)

PRACTICE: Organic, sustainable

VINIFICATION: Fermented and aged in neutral barrels

STYLE: Dessert

COLOR: Deep garnet

BODY: Medium to full bodied

TASTE: Sweet (6% residual sugar)

TANNINS: Moderate, well-integrated

PRIMARY AROMAS: Prunes, raisins, coffee, leather, cedar

FLAVOR: Stewed plums, blackberries, chocolate, coffee

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 16.5%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve slightly chilled. Pair with chocolate cake, or a lamb winter stew.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Homewood Winery 

Homewood Winery is an artisan, handcrafted, and small-batch winery located in Carneros, Sonoma, owned and operated by David Homewood, who is the pure definition of a “Author winemaker.” David is originally from Illinois, though he moved to California in the late 70s and produced his first vintage in 1983. His very distinctive style and his sense of "terroir wine" have made him an exceptional being who, for forty years, has never compromised his quality for the sake of commerce, or ever suffered from "Parker Syndrome". Homewood Winery is the perfect example of excellent wines that remain at more-than-reasonable prices.