1995 Clos du Bois Sonoma County Merlot

Clos du Bois is in Geyserville. It was founded in the early 1970s by businessman Frank Woods and a group of investors who purchased vineyards. The debut commercial wines were the 1974 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and in 1988 the estate was acquired by Wine Alliance, a subsidiary of Hiram Walker. Today Clos du Bois is owned by Constellation Brands, the world’s largest wine, beer and spirits conglomerate. Clos du Bois owns 800 acres in several appellations and makes a large portfolio of wines.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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.