
Cultivar: Merlot
Appearance
Dark blue skins, nearly black, with loose bunches of large berries
Origin
Bordeaux region of France
Tasting Notes
Cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla




Location at Threemile Vineyard: block E

Notes from Viticulturist
A classic and perhaps “old-school” red French grape, Merlot is a cultivar that Joe is familiar with growing in The Dalles area. A particularly resilient and tough vine, Joe decided to plant the Merlot in a low section with heavy drainage in block E as it may be one of the most challenging growing locations at the vineyard.
While on paper Merlot may be considered a warm season cultivar, Joe suggests that it seems to enjoy a slightly cooler growing climate at Threemile. While perhaps not the most sought after grape, this cultivar has previously been allocated to Graham Markel of Buona Notte, a young, up-and-coming gorge winemaker with remarkable wine making abilities.