Loleta Vineyards 'Lola' California Merlot

Winery Notes

Tasting Notes
Deep, fruit-driven and jammy. Filled with ripe, rich fruit and a plethora of spices, this style is typified by Australian Shiraz, Sonoma Zinfandel and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Vintage Notes

Vineyard Notes
The Californea AVA is the largest and most important wine region in the USA. It accounts for the southern two-thirds of the country's west coast and spans almost ten degrees of latitude. With mountains, valleys, plains and plateaux, California's topography is as complex as its climate, offering winegrowers a bewildering choice of terroir. The principal varieties grown in California are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. A wide range of traditional European (Vitis vinifera) vines also flourish, including Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. Zinfandel can also be included in the list as it is genetically identical to Tribidrag in Croatia and Primitivo in Italy. These are grafted to hardy American rootstocks which are resistant to phylloxera. Less well known are American/European hybrids producing wines mainly for local consumption.

Winemaking Notes
Merlot Blend Merlot is often dismissed as a reliable blending variety. Combining the characteristics mentioned above, Cabernet Sauvignon is Merlot's main blending partner in the Médoc and in wine regions around the world. Other southwest French varieties like Tannat (in Côtes de Gascogne) and Malbec (in Cahors) and the less-common Petit Verdot benefit from Merlot's moderating presence.