Brawny mountain-like tannins with aromas of black stone fruits meld with subtle flavors of vanilla bean and mocha.

Food pairing suggestions:

Italian-style sausages with fennel, spaghetti and meatballs, baked pasta dishes such as lasagne and similar veggie bakes, burgers-especially cheeseburgers!! Braised short ribs, spicy rice dishes such as jambalaya; mild to medium hard cheeses-but not very strongly flavored.

Tasting Notes:

Vineyard: Riverview

Clone: Merlot -15 (France181)

Trellising: Vertical Shoot Positioning

Orientation: North/South

Soil: Malabon silty clay and Roseburg loam