The 2015 Sandstone Merlot is a great display of Bordeaux grapes from hillside and valley ?oor vineyards, each of which gives distinct aromatics and structure to the wine. The estate-grown and certi?ed sustainable vineyards that make up this wine are harvested, fermented and aged separately in barrel for about a year before they are blended together. Karl D. Wente, Fifth Generation Winemaker, added Petite Sirah to the blend which then ages for another 6-12 months. Although lighter in structure than a Cabernet Sauvignon, this Merlot combines solid, yet silky tannins with diverse fruit ?avors to make a lasting impression.