2006 J Lohr LOS OSOS Merlot Paso Robles California
Name:
J Lohr LOS OSOS Merlot Paso Robles California - 2006
Where it's from:
>USA
>California
>Paso Robles
Price per case:
£93.41
Bottle size:
75 cl
Bottles per case:
6
Style:
Soft & Supple Reds
Grapes:
Merlot
Description:
The Merlot was grown on Nacimiento-Los Osos Complex, Arbuckle-San Ysidro and Arbuckle-Positas, and the 2001 vintage produced some outstanding red wines, although very similar to the vintage of 2000. However, it required longer grape hang time to achieve optimum development of colour, flavour and fragrance. This wine is predominently Merlot with a little Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah to add spice to the wine.
Merlot is the earliest of the Bordeaux varieties to ripen and as such was the guinea pig for determining phenolic and flavor maturation by tasting. In 2001 that flavour break occurred almost one degree Brix higher than in 2000 at just over 26 degrees Brix.
The 2001 release of Los Osos Merlot marks the fifth vintage at the vineyard from plantings of primarily French Merlot clones #181 and #314. Unlike the softer, less tannic Cabernet Sauvignon, where fermentation beyond dryness (or extended maceration) can be desirable, from the mid-point of fermentation to near dryness is critical to ensure that the grapes are pressed just prior to the buildup of gripping tannins, producing concentrated, yet supple Merlot.
The 2001 vintage of Los Osos Merlot is dark, purple-red in color with complex red and black fruit aromas of black currants, black cherry, blueberry, plum and violet with a bouquet of vanilla, mocha, roasted nuts and toast. A soft, yet generous wine with a sweet texture full of blackberries, mulberries and black currants with brown spices from the barrel aging,
