GEN5 Merlot

WHY WE LOVE IT

• LangeTwins is a fifth generation Lodi winery with over 5,000 acres of estate fruit.
• Wonderful 25 year-old estate vines.
• The wine has an incredible price for the quality.
• Gen 5 wines are sustainably farmed. The vineyards are certified green by Lodi Rules of Sustainable Wine-growing.
• The average vine age is 25 years.
• Lodi has a classic Mediterranean climate. It takes advantage of the gap between the northern and southern coastal ranges surrounding the San Francisco Bay. As the day’s temperature rises, cool breezes drift in from the Delta, keeping the nights cool which is ideal for the development of complexity in finished wines.

Varietal Composition: 82% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Elaboration: The grapes are crushed into stainless steel tanks and fermented at moderate temperatures to maintain the bright fruit flavors, but also promote extraction of color and tannin. The fermenting must be pumped over three times per day. Pump overs promote gentle extraction of phenolics, so that the resulting wine will have good color and structure without being bitter or astringent. After the primary fermentation is complete, the new wine is allowed to sit on the skins and seeds for a period of 7 to 14 days. This extended maceration helps to polymerize tannins which creates more stable color and more integrated tannin structure. The new wine is then pressed on skins and seeds to a tank. It then racked multiple times to clarify and aerate the wine. After racking, it is aged on French Oak before being blended with small amounts of different grape varieties to add complexity and balance. Finished blend is filtered before bottling.

TASTING NOTES: Black cherry, raspberry with purple floral notes (violet). With notes of mocha, sweet tannins and a silky finish.

PRESS

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PRODUCER BACKGROUND