<H1>2006 Naked Merlot -- Snoqualmie Vineyards Shopping Cart</H1>
<B>$12.99</B>
-- <I>Pure varietal fruit expression in the nose, with ample structure and lingering natural fruit flavors on the palate - like eating fresh Merlot berries off the vine.</I>
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<p><b>TASTING NOTES</b><br />“Pure varietal fruit expression in the nose, with ample structure and lingering natural fruit flavors on the palate - like eating fresh Merlot berries off the vine.” - <em>Joy Andersen, Winemaker</em></p>
<p><b>VINTAGE</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>The 2006 growing season was marked by weather extremes, with near record rainfall in the Columbia Valley during the early spring and record high temperatures in the early and mid-summer.</li>
<li>Although a challenging season weather-wise, exceptional sites including the warmer parts of the Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope saw early ripening and bold tannins from the high temperatures.</li>
<li>In the cooler growing areas, later ripening prompted good acidity and flavor in white varietals, as well as good color, pronounced fruit flavors and less aggressive tannins in reds.</li>
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<p><b>VINEYARDS</b><br /></p>
<ul>
<li>Snoqualmie was one of the first wineries in the state to craft wines from USDA-certified organically grown grapes and as of 2008, has the largest certified organic vineyard in the state.</li>
<li>Referred to as the “O” zone by the winemaking and viticultural teams, you’ll find a green cover of beneficial native grasses and cereal grains in the vineyards, which helps reduce soil erosion and provides habitat to attract beneficial insects.</li>
<li>Grapes sourced from these special vineyards create juicy fruit forward white wines and reds with bright, balanced finishes.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>WINEMAKING</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>Grapes were destemmed and crushed into fermenters for a two-day cold soak.</li>
<li>After inoculating with Prise de Mousse yeast, the grapes were fermented on the skins for three days with gentle, twice daily spray-overs to achieve<br />additional extraction of color and tannin.</li>
<li>Malolactic fermentation was induced.</li>
<li>After fermentation, the wine was aged 10 months in French oak.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>TECHNICAL DATA</b><br /><br />Alcohol: 13.9%<br />Total Acidity: 0.58g /100ml<br />pH: 3.66<br />Blend: 100% Organicaly Grown Merlot</p>
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<LI>SKU: 18495
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<P><B>Other bottles in the category <A HREF="http://store.snoqualmie.com/Category2" TITLE="Naked">Naked</A>:</B>
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product13 TITLE="2007 Naked Chardonnay">2007 Naked Chardonnay</A> -- This Chardonnay offers fresh pure aromas of Chardonnay fruit characters with nuances of citrus and pear followed by natural juicy fruit flavors on the palate and a balanced clean finish.
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product33 TITLE="2007 Naked Merlot">2007 Naked Merlot</A> -- Pure varietal fruit expression in the nose, with ample structure and lingering natural fruit flavors on the palate - like eating fresh Merlot berries off the vine.
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product30 TITLE="2008 Naked Chardonnay">2008 Naked Chardonnay</A> -- "...this Chardonnay offers aromas of pear with hints of citrus and fully balanced textures of fruit on the palate."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product29 TITLE="2008 Naked Gewurztraminer">2008 Naked Gewurztraminer</A> -- Orange blossom and spice aromas are complimented by a refreshingly crisp and juicy mouthful of fruit flavor.
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product23 TITLE="2008 Naked Riesling">2008 Naked Riesling</A> -- Organically farmed and produced, this Riesling offers bright aromas of spicy apple and pear. These spice characteristics are carried through the palate. The off-dry finish is clean and soft. This wine pairs wonderfully with assorted cheeses.
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.snoqualmie.com/Product24 TITLE="2008 Organic Riesling">2008 Organic Riesling</A> -- the Organic Riesling shows varietally pure aromas, with fresh fruit impressions of spicy apple and hints of apricot and mineral.
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