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Shooting Star Reds
JED STEELE'S SHOOTING STAR
MERLOT
LAKE COUNTY
We are always on the lookout for classic varieties planted
in ideal locations. Here the red volcanic soils, ample
sunshine, almost no fog and the 1500 foot plus elevation
and cool night temperatures, all add up to a wonderful
place to grow red grapes. We harvest Merlot from two growers:
Reed and Sarah Dorn and Floyd and Jolene Silva. The Dorns
have the most dramatic vineyard in Lake County. Perched
on a hollow on the NW corner of the dormant volcano Mt
Konocti, you look down 1000 feet to the lake and see a
perfect circle in Dorn Bay: an ancient cinder cone! The
Silva’s vineyard is a manicured jewel on the bench
land near Highland Springs Reservoir, close to Lakeport.
The soils are great and the vines really produce some of
the best fruit we have ever seen from Lake County.
Merlot has always been a strong performer in Lake County. The wines are better
structured and denser than a typical Merlot. An addition of Cabernet Franc helps
balance the wine and give it more fruit. We aged this wine in American Oak barrels.
It was kept in barrel for 12 months.
This wine has aromas of dark fruits and ripe Bing cherries.
Lots of good fruit flavors and a touch of oak round things
out. Serve with roasted meats, hearty stews or strong cheeses. .
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