About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vintage
The 2003 growing season was excellent for all Bordeaux varieties in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A warm September ensured that our cool-climate mountain fruit ripened beautifully. Many of our 2003 reds possess great extract and huge mouth-filling tannins that coat the palate.

Vineyards
This Merlot comes from our Razorback Vineyard, the warmest site at the Fogarty Home Ranch. At 1400 feet in elevation, Razorback Ridge is more protected from the cooling ocean influence. The eastern exposure provides for warm sunny days and cool nights, perfect for ripening Merlot in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Winemaking
Following a brief cold-soak, the grapes were pressed to seasoned French oak for two years of barrel-aging. For additional aromatics and structural elements, we added 15% Sangiovese to the final blend.

Tasting Notes
Our 2003 Razorback has a distinct anise and earth element thanks to the small percentage of Sangiovese included in the blend. You can think of this as our take on the great Super Tuscans of Bolgheri, which so deftly blend Merlot with the local Sangiovese. Razorback has distinctive aromatics of dark chocolate, sweet cherries and hints of mint. As with many of our '03 Bordeaux varieties from the Santa Cruz Mountains, the mouth is full with persistent and layered tannins.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
100% Razorback Vineyard

COMPOSITION: 85% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese

Elevation: 1400 Feet
Distance from Ocean: 13 miles
Finished alcohol: 15.0%
Acid/pH: .68/3.75
Oak treatment: French Oak 24 months
Total production: 306 cases
Retail price: $45.00