Our Wines

Heron Wines

Merlot, Vin De Pays d’Oc

For over a decade, Heron Wines has been making distinctive, delicious, varietal wines from the best places on Earth. Nearly from the start, we have carefully managed this old- vine vineyard, tending to Merlot vines averaging 25 years old. In the hills rising to the Pyrannees, St Chinian is the smallest and coolest micro-climate in the Languedoc. Close attention to keeping yields down, and the inherent benefits of the vineyard location; high elevation and cool northerly winds, add to the character and flavor of the wine. Our goal all along has been to create a full and flavorful wine that maximizes the high quality fruit and reveals the complexity and depth that got us so excited about Merlot from this area in the first place.

VINEYARD AND CANOPY MANAGEMENT
Leaf pulling for exposure as needed through verasion. Due to weather conditions, strict de-budding and grape ablation was necessary.

WEATHER PECULIARITIES
Spring — warm early in the spring, early cycle and bud growth. Cool mid-Summer. Late Summer — warm and windy.

FERMENTATION DETAILS
Grapes were harvested in two phases to ensure perfect ripeness, near complete de-stemming at harvest, lightly crushed and then 29 days extended maceration. Extended fermentation on the skins in stainless steel tank with temperatures kept between 76-81° F. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation followed by 8 months in new, one and two year-old medium toast, small French oak barrels.

Alcohol: 13.5% — refreshingly balanced in today’s world of high-alcohol wines.

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS
Heron Merlot has been used by the Institute of Enology in Montpellier as benchmark wine, illustrating what is possible to achieve with carefull mangagment and reduced yields — about 2.5 tons per acre. It possesses concentration and character that can only come from old vines, low yields, maceration and great terroir. The nose features plums and cherries. The currants, mocha and cassis. It is harmonious, balanced and delicious. Enjoy!

ABOUT HERON WINES
When I started Heron Wines in 1995, it was unusual for an American woman to be making her own wine in France. Now Heron Wines is making wine in three countries. From the beginning, the goal has been simple: for each wine, find the best vineyards and the best regions wherever in the world they may be. We seek to produce serious wines, keep true to the varietal, maintain elegance and balance (in everything!), and deliver tons of character and soul.

Technical Sheet • Shelf Talker • Label