August 2016 Domestic Wine: 2014 Pomar Junction Roussanne, Paso Robles, California
Fine Wine Source Wine Club
August 2016
Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery: The Merrill Family’s agricultural heritage and grape growing history dates back at least 8 generations on California’s Central Coast. A former family ranch still is home to a grape arbor planted in the 19th Century. Today, Dana and Marsha Merrill along with son Matthew farm the vineyards while Matthew’s winemaking is complemented by winemaker par excellence, Jim Shumate. After nearly 30 years of growing grapes for many of the finest wineries in California, ranging from ultra premium small producers to the largest international brands, the Merrill’s decided to produce their own wines. All wines produced are exclusively farmed by the Merrill’s who believe that control from planting and pruning through harvest, fermentation and cellaring is critical for success. It also ensures a uniform dedication to sustainability, which led to their recent certification to the SIP program within the Central Coast Vineyard Team. The family believes in community and industry involvement. Dana Merrill was the first San Luis Obispo County Chair of the California Assn. of Winegrape Growers, a charter member of the pioneering Vineyard Sustainability Group, the Central Coast Vineyard Team and is a past two term Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.
About: The 2014 Pomar Junction Roussane took a Silver Medal at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Cultivated at the newly acquired Creston Ridge Estate Vineyard, this is their first working with the Rhone Varietal Roussanne. These grapes were originally allocated for the aforementioned white blend, but impressed with its intense and unique quality, Matt Merrill and Jim Shumate decided to showcase it as an exceptional single varietal wine. The wine was made entirely from hand-picked, estate-grown grapes from the hillsides of the Creston Ridge Vineyard with limestone shale rock terroir in the El Pomar District under near perfect growing conditions and fermented in neutral oak for 6 months. The cooling Templeton Gap breezes and moderate summer temperatures combine with the Linne Calado soils for ideal high quality wine grape growing conditions.
Varietals: 100% Roussanne
Alcohol: 13.9%
Tasting Notes: A nose of lush tropical fruit leads into a pleasant and surprising mouth-feel full of the lush tropical fruit experiences on the nose and a contrast of bright spice with a creamy finish.
Food Pairings: This wine pairs well with buttery sauces filled with slow cooked veggies or rich shellfish like scallop, crab, and lobster. IF it lasts that long, it is a good alternative to a Thanksgiving Chardonnay!
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts: Bursting with flavors of dried apricots & white peaches, great balance, and a long lingering finish; best served with fish in a citrus sauce!