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Jackknife Ridge - Merlot
Planted 1993
This vineyard is five acres (3,300+ vines) of Merlot, planted on clone #3, 3,309 rootstock planted in April, 1993 on certified, heat treated, 2-year-old bench grafts from Sonoma Grapevines. This block is 2,200 feet in elevation with deep soils of rocky, Sobrante/Suther/Laughlin gravelly loams. Prior to planting at 6 x 11 spacing the rolling hills were deep ripped to 4 feet with 6 tons to the acre gypsum turned into the soil then fumigated. We installed peeler cores every 24 feet, 36 inch Lyres from A & P Structures. The vines produced their first crop in 1995. The vines are up on fruiting wires and are at maximum cordon length. The average yield is 3-4 tons to the acre. The vines are trained to an "S" pattern so minimum cutting of the main cordon shoot insures proper length. Each cordon contains 14-16 spurs. Small clusters and berries are the norm. The north side of each row is leaf thinned for uniform color and exposure. |
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| Appellation |
Alexander Valley |
Rootstock |
3,309, heat treated, 2-year old benchgrafts |
| Clone |
Clone #3 |
Varietal |
Merlot |
| Trellis System |
Open U, 6 x 11 spacing |
Irrigation Regimen |
Drip/fertigated |
| Elevation |
2,200' Hillside |
Shoot Thinning |
Yes |
| Leaf Pulling |
Yes |
Crop Thinning |
Yes |
| Soils |
Sobrante / Suther / Laughlin |
Year Planted |
1993 |
| Winemaker Tasting Notes |
"… dark berry, chocolate, silky up front, good mid mouth, tannic"
"… aromas of bitter chocolate, dark berry, slight mint, spice" |
Medals / Ratings |
Part of Imagery Ash Creek Vineyards Cabernet - Gold Medals for 97 and 99 |
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| Year |
2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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| Yield (Tons) |
7.9
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19.3
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21
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14.92
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n/a
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15.52
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| Brix |
22.8º
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25.5º
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24º
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25.4º
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23.6°
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n/a
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| TA |
0.58 g/100 ml
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0.50 g/100 ml
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0.45 g/100 ml
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0.46 g/100 ml
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0.50 g/100 ml
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n/a
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| pH |
3.58
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3.75
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3.65
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3.80
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3.58
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n/a
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| Winery |
Benziger Reserve Vineyard Designate
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Benziger Reserve Vineyard Designate
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Benziger Reserve Vineyard Designate
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Benziger Reserve Vineyard Designate
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Imagery Reserve Vineyard Designate
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Sugar Loaf Winery
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