2005 Pepper Bridge Merlot

Varietal Composition

100% Merlot.

Vineyard Locations

Pepper Bridge Vineyards—Walla Walla—100%

Barrel Aging

18 Months in 60% French, 30% American,
10% East. European oak barrels. (30% new oak).

Production Statistics

Harvest Date—September 30, 2005
Bottling Date—April 10, 2007
Release Date—December 2007
Sugar at Harvest—25.1 Brix
Wine Alcohol—13.9%
Wine Acidity—0.60 g/100ml
Wine pH—3.65
Case Production—125

Vintage Conditions

Winter 2004/2005 was very warm in the Walla Walla Valley, resulting in a late April bud break for the Merlot grapes. The warm spring encouraged growth and a perfect berry set. Summer continued to be hot and dry, resulting in an early harvest that produced fruit with excellent sugar levels (25.1 Brix). The excellent growing conditions and the rich soils of the Pepper Bridge Vineyards produced a complex Merlot wine that has outstanding fruit concentrations.

Vinification

The hand picked grapes from the vineyards were gently de-stemmed and crushed. The grapes were then fermented in half-ton open topped fermentation bins at an average must temperature of 89F for 11 days. For added complexity, two yeast strains were used for fermentation. The grape must cap was punched down by hand several times a day. At dryness, the grape must was lightly pressed into a settling tank to reduce sediment. The wine was then put directly into 225 liter oak barrels where malolatic fermentation was completed. The wine received a total of four rackings and was not filtered prior to bottling.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2005 Pepper Bridge Merlot from the Walla Walla Valley is outstanding. Dark and rich in color, the wine provides a mouthful of powerful black pepper accented cherry, current and chocolate mocha flavors. It’s a balanced full-bodied wine with mild overlays of vanilla–laced oak and soft tannins that provide a wonderful finish!