2021 Barrack Family Brand

Merlot

2021 Barrack Family Estate Brand

AVA

HAPPY CANYON OF SANTA BARBARA

ESTATE GROWN, HAPPY CANYON VINEYARD

85% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec

Alcohol 13.5%

WINEMAKING NOTES

The 2021 vintage was truly amazing; the fruit reached perfect physiological ripeness retaining natural grape acidity resulting in very balanced wines with low alcohol and rich concentrated varietal flavors. The wine was fermented in small lots using hand-crafted winemaking techniques and matured for 22 months in a combination of new and seasoned, two year old, and neutral Taransaud French Oak Barrels.  The wine was racked three times in barrel and bottled in June of 2023.

TASTING NOTES

The finished wine has dark, crimson color with mahogany hues and a hint of black.  The aromas exhibit a lovely balance of dark cherries, ripe plums, along with hints of lavender and spice wrapped in a cloak of vanilla. The palate is full bodied, rich and intense that is filled with fruit and oak wood, balanced perfectly with lush tannins and bold acidity.  The wine is complex and made even more luxurious with the four other grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon adding tannin and strength, the Cabernet Franc adding a spicy lift, the Malbec adding an earthy full rich flavor and the Petit Verdot, with its intense color and powerful tannins seamlessly intertwining them all.  Beautiful to drink today and will mature and age wonderfully for the next 10 to 15 years.

CASES PRODUCED

 Cases 290