Cousins 2022 Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot
The next generation of Snowdens is exploring California, seeking out organically farmed grapes of the highest pedigree from different growing areas. The Cousins wines are produced with the same integrity and to the same exacting standards of quality as our estate wines -- and lead the way on innovation, such as utilizing a smaller, lighter, more environmentally responsible bottle, which we've now adopted for the estate wines, as well. The 2022 Cousins Merlot is a lovely expression of the high mountain, coastally-influenced terroir where the grapes were so carefully grown, showing off a vibrant bouquet of plum, tobacco, and floral aromatics.
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2022
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains
Harvest Date
September 7, 2022
Bottling Date
May 4, 2023
Residual Sugar
Fermented dry, no sugar added
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
Lying at just over 2000 ft in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Zayante vineyard is a tiny jewel surrounded by dense, wild forest. Assiduously farmed, the vines are ungrafted and dry-farmed using biodynamic practices, resulting in a uniquely direct expression of both varietal and terroir, fruit-driven and plush. The fruit was picked by hand, fermented by wild, native yeasts, saw minimal sulphur and handling, was pressed early, and barreled into Snowden-Vineyards-seasoned French oak.