January 5
In January, we make up the blend of the 2008 Merlot and begin to put it to barrel. We use a mixture of one-third new, one-third once-used and one-third neutral barrels to get the proper balance of oak character. Blending early in the wine’s life assures a balance of fruit and tannin in the finished wine and gives the components over a year to marry into a seamless whole.
We will also blend the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc to get it ready for bottling. It is going to be stunning.
The Pinot Noir is completing malolactic in barrel and still on its lees to give it a little more depth and character. Pinot is so changeable that it is the one exception to early blending. We prefer to let it develop and then blend after about a year in barrel. We then give it four more months in barrel to integrate the components. We have over 20 different Pinot Noirs in 2008, so blending will be fascinating.
~ Daniel Baron