"Aromas of firm plums, dried roses and lavender comingle with cocoa and holiday spices. Brambly red fruit, muddled briar fruit and vanilla crème fill out a plush flavor profile. Layered, toasty oak lends tones of caramel, nutmeg, cardamom and allspice. This is a powerful and structured merlot with firm tannins that evolve to a long, velvety finish. Among the first vineyards planted in the John Anthony portfolio, the Crane Vineyard is producing fruit of consistently elevated quality and graceful age."

In the Vineyard:
Year Planted: 1996
Varietal: Merlot
Clone: French
Sub Appellation: Oak Knoll District
Vineyard: Crane (3.5 acres)
Harvest Date: September, 30th 2017

In the Cellar:
Bottling: 128 cases produced
Barrel Aging: 20 months in 100% French oak: 67% new, 33% neutral