<H1>2003 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County (750ml) -- Benziger & Imagery Winery Shopping Cart</H1>
<B>$42.00</B>
-- <I>ONLY 4 CASES LEFT! The 2003 Reserve Merlot is very luscious in texture, intensely flavored (black cherry, toasted oak, cassis, and tobacco), and very long and persistent on the finish.</I>
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<IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/benziger/images/BZ-03-ResMerlot_LABEL.jpg" ALIGN=right ALT="2003 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County (750ml)" NAME="2003 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County (750ml)" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10>
<p>VINTAGE <br />2003</p>
<p> RELEASE DATE <br />August 2006 </p>
<p>CASE PRODUCTION <br />522 cases </p>
<p>AVAILABLIITY Winery Exclusive<br /></p>
<p>VINEYARD<br />Ash Creek Pusich </p>
<p>APPELLATION<br />Sonoma County </p>
<p>VINIFICATION: Each year, as part of our Reserve program, we select the best blocks from the best vineyards, which are then kept separate through the winemaking process until being selected, barrel-by-barrel, for the final blend. Grapes for this years Reserve Merlot were culled, crushed and cold-soaked on their skins for five days at 55 degrees, then fermented in stainless steel fermenter for 28 days at 85 degrees. Maceration on the skins provided maximum extraction. The wine was bottled in August 2005. Alcohol 14.5%, pH 4.04, Total Acidity .51, Residual sugar .02%. </p>
<p>VINTAGE: The season began on a wet note, but an unseasonably warm spring gave us an early bud break in March. The vines began to grow and the weather turned cold and wet again in April; depending on location we had rain between 20 to 26 days of the month. This cool overcast weather virtually stopped vine growth and filled the soil with water. Warm weather in May got things going again with explosive growth, then June cooled off and it became apparent that it was going to be a late harvest. August cooled some but brought a tropical weather pattern and the fear of rain. The weather warmed in late September and it became a challenge to control sugars while waiting for flavor maturity. Once harvest began in mid-September, but thanks to a cooling trend, we were able to bring in fruit with great ripeness and maturity through October. 2003 was unique and, weather-wise all over the board. But we got what we needed at critical times and most varietals fared beautifully. </p>
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<LI>SKU: 320103
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<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/benziger/Product455 TITLE="2004 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County (750ml)">2004 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma County (750ml)</A> -- ONLY 5 CASES LEFT! The 2004 Reserve Merlot is very luscious in texture, intensely flavored (black cherry, toasted oak, cassis, and tobacco), and very long and persistent on the finish.
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/benziger/Product546 TITLE="2005 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma Valley (750ml)">2005 Benziger Reserve Merlot, Sonoma Valley (750ml)</A> -- Luscious in texture, with layered notes of black cherry, toasted oak, cassis and tobacco, the wine has long and persistent finish. .
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/benziger/Product511 TITLE="2004 Benziger Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County (750ml)">2004 Benziger Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County (750ml)</A> -- Flavors and aromas are reminiscent of dark chocolate, black cherry, black currant, toast, oak and vanilla. Long and ample on the palate, the finish sustains the enjoyment.
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