Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, 1996

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Grapes were crushed, destemmed and fermented for one week during which time twice daily pumpovers helped extract optimal flavor and color. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was racked into French oak barrels, half new and half one-year-old, to age for 18 months. During this period, gravity racking every three months helped in clarifying the wine and enhancing its development.

The 1998 Columbia Valley vintage was outstanding. Mild winter temperatures preceded a normal bud break in April. Warm, dry and stable temperatures in July and August produced a desirable, smaller-than-average berry size, then in September, temperatures moderated just enough to slow ripening. The extra time on the vine helped concentrate flavors and the warm days and cool nights resulted in grapes with excellent sugar-to-acid ratio.