2023 Yarrow Merlot
2023 YARROW MERLOT
Wildflowers have always been a symbol of beauty and possibility at Bell Mountain but never more so than after the 2019 Kincade Fire touched 80% of our 340 acres. When Chris and Bradley James walked into the vineyard at Bell Mountain Ranch, they were surrounded by devastation as the untouched forest had been badly burned. The walk took them to the top of Bell Mountain where Bradley entered this into her journal from that day: “the top of the mountain was destroyed, but no one told the wildflowers”. Yarrow is a native wildflower that floods Bell Mountain with vibrant yellow each spring and is a constant reminder of our hope for the future and nature’s way of saying it will all be okay. We named our Merlot after this beautiful reminder of nature’s resilience and that the soil holds so much potential when the landscape above is destroyed. The hidden universe below ground remains safe and can bring back in bigger and better ways the plants and ecosystem that live above it.
The 2023 Merlot opens with an aromatic lift of juniper berry, rose petal, and black cherry, layered with blackberry, blueberry, and warm cinnamon spice. Subtle notes of espresso bean, dark cocoa, and fine minerality add depth and intrigue. On the palate, the wine is dense and structured yet vibrant, driven by fresh acidity and firm, finely grained tannins that give it both precision and longevity. Ripe plum and dark berry fruit anchor the mid-palate, while black spice and coffee carry through to a long, polished finish. Ripe and powerful yet lifted and elegant, this wine shows both richness and restraint in equal measure. Serve alongside duck or lamb for the ultimate pairing.
Vintage
The 2023 vintage was exceptional in so many ways and is expected to stand out as one of the finest. Beginning with a much-needed abundance of rainfall, a welcome relief after three years of intense drought; the vineyard came back to life with vibrant soil and canopies. A cool spring and summer allowed for a prolonged and gradual ripening period, resulting in exceptional phenolic ripeness and abundant flavors without excessively high sugar levels. Harvest kicked off later than usual, progressing at a steady pace that required lots of patience. This promises to be a vintage worth remembering and one that will let Bell Mountain truly express itself. We can't wait to savor the fruits of this extraordinary season.