2010 J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot

2010 was the coolest growing season Paso Robles has seen in a decade, bringing with it rainfall that was 50% above normal. While this cool and wet combination may have presented challenges for the late-ripening varieties, it was ideal for the early-ripening Merlot cultivar. After rapid vine growth in spring consumed most of the moisture held in the rainsoaked soils, we employed our latest thinking in vineyard irrigation strategy and applied absolutely zero irrigation for an 8 to 12 week period in our Merlot blocks between fruit set (mid-June) and veraison (August). This dramatic approach in the vineyard kept berry size small and promoted brown seeds earlier in the season than we had ever seen before. Absent were the agressive tannins that are common in a cool vintage. Instead, 2010 Los Osos Merlot is dense, mature and fruit-driven.