HAWLEY WINES
2002 Merlot
Dry Creek Valley




    Technical
  • Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
  • Varietal Composition: 93% Merlot   7% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Harvest Date: September 13, 2002
  • Alcohol: 13.9%      Ph: 3.38     TA: .66 g/100ml
  • Bottling Date: July 14, 2004
  • Cases Bottled: 402
  • Release Date: Jan 1, 2007

Vineyard Sources
This wine was estate grown and produced at Hawley Vineyards on Bradfod Mountain. Our vineyard s utilize vertical trellises and leaf pulling to maximize sunlight to the fruit and enhance flavor development. The rocky, well drained soils on Bradford Mountain restrict vine growth and yield, resulting in concentrated flavor and color. The 2002 growing season was cool and dry with a few short hot spells. We had to wait for flavor development long past what we would normally consider optimum sugar. Green clusters were removed by Paul and Austin Hawley during verasion to ensure uniform maturity. The resulting crop was light with a long hang time and produced one of the richest concentrated vintages in a while.

Winemaking
Merlot and Cabernet grapes were hand harvested and vinified separately. After 7 days of cold soak, the must is allowed to warm and wild yeasts begin the fermentation. A small amount of commercial yeast is then added to insure the wine ferments to dryness. The wine is pressed off the skins and aged 20 months in 50% new French oak barrels to soften the tannins and add vanilla, spicy and toasty flavors. Careful barrel to barrel rackings every three months eliminate the need for filtration. Seven percent Cabernet Sauvignon was blended to add length and complexity.

Tasting Notes
This mountain grown Merlot is deep in color with intense fruit flavors reminiscent of black cherries, currants, and black berries. On the palate it is rich and opulent, bursting with fruit, backed by chocolate and vanilla oak notes and round, chewy tannins. Though enjoyable now, this wine has the structure and intensity to improve with aging.

Hawley Wine
PO Box 1831, Healdsburg CA. 95448
6387 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg CA. 95448
Phone/Fax 707-431-2705
www.hawleywine.com