MERLOT & OLIVE OIL

2005 Darcie Kent Merlot, Livermore Valley, $26/750ml; Club Price $22 (Save $4 per bottle!)

Our wine making is gentle from start to finish, preserving as much of the pure fruit qualities as possible. We aged our 2005 Merlot in 100% small French oak barrels for 18 months to give it a rich aroma of vanilla and chocolate. We prefer Vicard barrels with medium to heavy toast for lots of chocolate aromas and included one Francois Frere barrel for a hint of vanilla, violet and berry. 200 cases were crafted.

2005 Darcie Kent Olive Oil, Livermore Valley $18.95/375ml

We hand pick our olives to obtain both green and black olives. The green fruit promotes spicier, sharper flavors of asparagus, artichoke and mint. A black olive brings softer, more buttery flavors. We like the blend of these two batches to produce a wonderful and complex oil. The olives were crushed and held until April when it was pressed, but left unfiltered and the finished oil was then "pulled" off the top. The oil is extremely low in peroxide levels and qualifies as extra virgin. It is naturally high in antioxidants and it's wonderful on crusty bread or drizzled over salads.
40 cases were crafted.