2004 Buzzard Tree Meritage
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Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon 13% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc 6% Malbec, 3% Petite Verdot

Appellation: Paso Robles

Analysis: Alcohol: 13.6% pH: 3.65 TA: .75 g/100ml RS: .2%

Harvest Dates: 9/28/04 to 12/09/04 Seven Vineyards Harvested

Barrel Ageing: 16 months in 1 to 2 year old French and American oak

Cases Produced: 2506

Retail Price: $12

Tasting Notes
This enticing wine has a floral and complex aroma of ripe cherries and cassis, with spicy overtones of pepper and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, the intense berry and malt flavors are superbly balanced with structured tannins and firm acidity. The lengthy finish coats your mouth with nutty and chocolate flavors. Enjoyable now with roast beef or pork, this wine will age nicely through 2010. Vintage 2004 The 2004 vintage was at the tail end of a five-year draught, the stressed vines yielding small cluster weight and berry size, resulting in a concentration of flavor. A warm summer and fall led to ample ripening with no mold or weather damage. Sugar, acid and tannins were moderate to high, thus the wine is intense and balanced. Winemaking We selected each of the five varietals from low-yielding vineyards on the Westside of Paso Robles and the Templeton Gap, both cool growing areas similar to the Bordeaux region of France. Each was harvested at ideal ripeness, and fermented to dryness using gentle cap irrigation techniques. After pressing, the wine was barrel-aged to develop bouquet and texture.