Leaping Horse Merlot 2018
Overview
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Leaping Horse Merlot has violet and dark fruit aromas with pleasant plum, black cherry, cocoa vanilla, and sweet oak character in the flavor. Mouth-filling yet smooth, this is an unpretentious Merlot that can pair with just about anything. |
Wine Facts
Winemaker Notes
This merlot comes from soils that are sandy loam and well- drained, allowing the wonderful ripeness to come through to the grapes. The Kautz family has been promoting and working with sustainable viticulture for over 35 years. Leaping Horse practices sustainable viticulture, such as crop reduction, leaf removal, organic materials and drip irrigation to improve the quality of the grapes and intensity of flavors. Cover crops, which attract beneficial insects, are also employed, as well as the placement of owl and wood duck boxes around the vineyards and ponds to help preserve the surrounding habitats. The wine spends three months’ aging in new French oak.
Serving Hints
Because of its soft tannins and luscious fruit, Merlot is a versatile wine that’s food-friendly or can be savored by itself. It works with many types of meat or fowl, such as roast turkey or chicken, grilled blackened salmon, pasta with meat sauces, pork, grilled vegetables or a steak salad.
This merlot comes from soils that are sandy loam and well- drained, allowing the wonderful ripeness to come through to the grapes. The Kautz family has been promoting and working with sustainable viticulture for over 35 years. Leaping Horse practices sustainable viticulture, such as crop reduction, leaf removal, organic materials and drip irrigation to improve the quality of the grapes and intensity of flavors. Cover crops, which attract beneficial insects, are also employed, as well as the placement of owl and wood duck boxes around the vineyards and ponds to help preserve the surrounding habitats. The wine spends three months’ aging in new French oak.
Serving Hints
Because of its soft tannins and luscious fruit, Merlot is a versatile wine that’s food-friendly or can be savored by itself. It works with many types of meat or fowl, such as roast turkey or chicken, grilled blackened salmon, pasta with meat sauces, pork, grilled vegetables or a steak salad.
Producer: Ironstone Vineyards
Appellation: California
SUB-AVA: Lodi
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 5.6 G/L
Residual Sugar: 3.2 G/L
Appellation: California
SUB-AVA: Lodi
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 5.6 G/L
Residual Sugar: 3.2 G/L
Press Highlights
2015: ‘Best Buy’ - Wine Enthusiast, Nov 20172014: 'Best Buy' - Wine Enthusiast, Aug 2016
2013: ‘Best Buy’ - Wine Enthusiast, Mar. 2015