Paso Robles saw a fourth consecutive year of low rainfall in 2015. The dry
conditions experienced locally mirrored the extreme climatic trends witnessed
across the entire state of California. Budbreak was early, as is typical in dry years,
with vines coming out of dormancy in mid-March. Good growing conditions
in April brought rapid shoot growth, but were followed by an unusually cold
period in early May that reduced our Merlot crop yield by roughly 30% due to
shatter. This lighter crop ripened readily, with the earliest pick occurring on
September 10th, and the final pick on the 26th. The top lots for Los Osos move
quickly from the press pan to the barrel room, where they finish malolactic
fermentation in new oak barrels. A month later these barrels are reblended to
incorporate the Malbec component, before the entire blend returns to the
barrel room for a year of rest. The 2015 Los Osos Merlot can be splash
decanted to open up its full aroma potential at your table.