California Merlot Stone Creek Merlot 2003 is from Mendocino County and has toffee and cinnamon aromas, with rich dark plum, blackberry, fresh green herbs, toast, and dark chocolate impressions in the nose and on the palate. The finish has a smooth, velvety texture and lingering flavors. It would pair well with grilled steak or pork tenderloin, spicy barbecue chicken, a good hamburger and firm cheeses such as aged cheddar, Emmenthaler and aged Monterey Jack. This is a great California Merlot at a giveaway price! This is the big 1.5 liter magnum bottle from one of the best years for Mendocino California Merlot. The California Merlot Harvest in 2003 was an excellent one. The weather was above-average warm throughout July and August, reducing yields somewhat. Picking started late and went long, which resulted in perfect harvest conditions. Dry weather persisted throughout the harvest yielding clean, high quality fruit with excellent color and good flavors in the fermenters. This Merlot captures the rich color and ripe, berry flavors of the excellent harvest. Aging in both new and used oak barrels adds a dimension and richness to the natural flavors from the grapes. Mendocino County has warm days like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, but cooler nights, which accentuates the delicate flavor nuances in the grapes, as well as promoting a refreshing crispness.

The Weibel Family has been producing Champagne and premium wine, specifically Green Hungarian, for over 75 years, first in their native Switzerland, and then since 1939 after moving to California. When Fred E. Weibel, Sr. and his father Rudolf came to California, they brought with them classic old world winemaking techniques and traditions, combined with a personal commitment to quality and excellence.
The Weibel’s relocated their bottling facility in April 1996 to Woodbridge, California because the vineyards in Mission San Jose became more valuable for homes than for vineyard use. Today, Weibel Vineyards is under the direction of Fred E. Weibel Jr., President and Owner. Working along with him is his nephew, Gary Habluetzal, in charge of production. The third Weibel Family generation is now working at the winery. Elise, Fred's daughter, works in the winery's Marketing and Sales department. And Fred's son, Justin, graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and today is the winemaker at Weibel Vineyards. Together they are carrying on the traditions of hard work and excellence established many years ago by Rudolf Weibel.

RATINGS: Silver Medal - San Diego International Wine Competition

Silver Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition