CALL: 800-313-9463 � EMAIL: INFO@SUNSTONEWINERY.COM � WEB: SUNSTONEWINERY.COM

PRICE: $58 � RE-ORDER PRICE: $40.60

2011 Merlot, Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley

NOTEWORTHY:In the U.S. there are no regulations for the term reserve. The term is self-regulated with winemaker integrity being the underlying value that gives the term its credence. Reserve wine is a term given to a specific wine to imply that it is of a higher quality than usual, or that it has been aged before being sold, or both. Traditionally winemakers would “reserve” some of their best wine. In some countries the use of the term reserve/reserva/riserva is regulated. Sometimes, reserve wine originates from the best vineyards, or the best barrels, making it more special. Additionally, reserve wines might be made in a style suited for longer aging periods. However, in regions where the use is not regulated the mere presence of the term “reserve” on a wine label may be only marketing strategy.

MADE:The 2011 Merlot Reserve is produced from certified organically farmed Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes grown from our 20-year old Estate vineyard. Farmed to California Certified Organic Farmer (C.C.O.F.) specifications, Sunstone Estate vineyards produces ultra-premium quality wines with distinct varietal character, thanks to the site’s unique terroir.

During harvest the grapes were sorted, lightly crushed, and de-stemmed and pumped into open top fermentation bins. After cold soaking, the grapes were inoculated with BDX and BM45 yeast and allowed to ferment and macerate for 10-days on the skins to extract maximum color and flavor. Following fermentation, the wines were racked to 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. After barrel aging for 30-months, the separate lots were blended to taste in May of 2014, before being bottled in June of 2014.

TASTING NOTES:A spicy and floral array of complex aromas from crushed red peppers, rose petals, thyme, black tea, dill and white pepper elongate into dried cranberries, dark cherries, dark plum, blackberries, and orange rind, followed by caramel, subtle smoked cedar and wet-hot stones. This Reserve quality Merlot slowly evolves after 20-minutes into an elegant, heady wine with a superb mouth feel of velvety tannins balanced by perfect acidity.

CELLAR:With proper cellaring this 2011 vintage Reserve Merlot was aged in the barrel long enough for consumers to enjoy from 2015 through 2018.

GRAPES:94% Merlot, “Miles” Block, Sunstone Estate Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County

6% Cabernet Franc, “Mason” Block, Sunstone Estate Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County

WINE CHEMISTRY: Alc: 14.6% • pH: 3.66 • TA: 0.58 g/L • Residual Sugar: 0.18 g/L

CALL: 800-313-9463 � EMAIL: INFO@SUNSTONEWINERY.COM � WEB: SUNSTONEWINERY.COM

WINEMAKING:This is a limited vintage from a nine acre block of the Goodchild Vineyard

in Santa Maria, where the cool climate produces highly concentrated

clone 667 grapes. The Pinot Noir grapes were hand-picked, de-

stemmed and punched down in small open-top bins for over a week,

then pressed to tank for settling before being racked to 100% new

French oak barrels. The wine was aged on its lees for 11-months, then

filtered and bottled in September 2013.

- Bion Rice, Director of Winemaking

NOTEWORTHY:Pinot noir (French: [pino nwaʁ]) is a red wine grape variety of the

species Vitis vinifera. The name is derived from the French words for

pine and black; the pine alluding to the grape variety having tightly

clustered, pine cone-shaped bunches of fruit. Pinot Noir is the most

highly prized wine in the world. Pinot Noir wines are pale in color,

translucent and their flavors are very subtle. The grape itself is weak,

suffering from a variety of diseases and its genetics make it highly

susceptible to mutation. In other words, it’s more challenging to grow

than most red varietals.

TASTING NOTES:Broad aromatics of black cherry pie, orange zest, baking spices and toasty oak weave through nuances of fresh fennel and thyme. As the wine expands in the glass, pretty accents of fresh cranberries and a fragrant potpourri of dried gardenias and rose petals dance about. The mouthfeel is bright, yet velvety, and finishes long.

CELLARBest consumed in its youth to enjoy the freshness of the wine, our 2012 Pinot Noir will develop gracefully with 3 to 5 years of proper cellaring.

WINE STATS: 100% Pinot Noir, Goodchild Vineyard, High Nine Block, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County

pH: 3.67 • TA: .61 • MA: 40 • RS: .44 g/L • Alcohol: 14.5%

278 cases produced

PRICE: $45 � RE-ORDER PRICE: $31.50

2012 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County