1997 Ravenswood Donnell Ranch Merlot

Ravenswood was founded in 1976 in Sonoma Valley by Joel Peterson. Peterson is a microbiologist by training, but while doing immunology research in San Francisco in the early 1970s he began dabbling in winemaking. Because of his success with Zinfandel, he quickly became known as the godfather of Zinfandel, and single vineyard Zinfandels continue to be the estate’s flagship wines. Ravenswood owns about 15 acres of vineyards but acquires most of its grapes from a network of more than 100 northern California growers. The estate also makes Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and various blends.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.