Merlot is your friend, it really is, but not just any old merlot. It needs to come from the right spot, not have been harvested too ripe, at least that is the style I look for. Back when merlot was cool quite a few acres were planted here in the Santa Ynez Valley. Unfortunately only a few of those old vines remain. In 2019 the manager of one of those old vineyards hit me up, they had some extra fruit and I jumped on it, buying a couple tons. There isn’t a lot to say about this wine, it isn’t meant to be a statement or a terroir project, just a good ole merlot from some steadfast old vines. Fully de-stemmed and aged in neutral oak. No surprises here.