Deep garnet in color with notes of clove and cedar highlight the bouquet of this Merlot. A complex palate of juicy raspberries and dry cocoa with very light tannins leads to a lingering cherry spice finish. This wine pairs very nicely with grilled lamb or a nice peppercorn steak.
Vintage, Vineyard and Winemaker Notes
Cecil De Loach has been farming the Russian River Valley for over 40 years and was among a small group of vintners that helped define this area as one of America’s premier growing regions. This Merlot was made from vines grown at Cecil’s Los Amigos Ranch, a vineyard in the Chalk Hill district of the Russian River Valley.
Despite going into the 5th year of drought, 2016 was another fantastic growing year in the Russian River Valley. Yields were larger than that of 2015 while a slightly cooler August allowed the clusters to mature more slowly and evenly than that vintage, providing great flavor and color development.
Upon arriving from the vineyard, our Merlot is gently de-stemmed and crushed before being moved to tanks to begin fermentation. During this process, we carefully return fermenting wine onto its own “cap” of grape skins to extract all of the color, flavors and tannins. We then press the remaining skins, and the resulting wine is aged for approximately 18 months in a combination of 20 hand-selected American and European oak barrels.
Specs
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: Chalk Hill District, Russian River Valley
Vineyard: Los Amigos Ranch
Harvested: September 21, 2016
Estate Bottled: July 24, 2018
Aging: European & American Oak (25% new) for 18 month
Hook & Ladder Winery continues the legacy of one of Russian River Valley’s most influential wine families. Founded in 2003 by pioneering growers and vintners Cecil and Christine De Loach, and helmed today by their grandson, winemaker Jason De Loach, Hook & Ladder showcases the diversity of the appellation the family helped to define, in a portfolio of limited-production bottling’s from their Russian River Valley estate vineyards. The name Hook & Ladder pays homage to Cecil De Loach’s 17- year career as a San Francisco firefighter.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Hook & Ladder Merlot - $58 = 25.43%
I remember having a few Hook and Ladder cabs (different vintage) from that flash site that had all the discounts many years back, and in addition, a friend of mine had a bottle of their PN open a couple weeks ago at dinner. My impression / memory of both was that they were well made, well balanced, tasty wine. At this price, I image great QPR and looking forward to some rats.
@jhkey In fact more than a few Hook & Ladder offers here on casemates. Looks like it could be an interesting deal. Still current on the winery website @ $32.
@jhkey@kaolis Been working at H&L for 14 years and I will say our Merlot is consistently one of my favorite wines we produce. This 2016 was a gold and 93 point rating at this years North Coast Wine Comp and IT IS DELICIOUS!
@golfaholic When you buy wine here, the actual seller is the winery - and each winery needs to have permits for every state that they deal with. Some states make it more difficult or expensive than others. If your state is restrictive, let your legislators know how you feel about it - this November.
@golfaholic@rpstrong We do ship to Minn. I apologize for this mix up and we are getting it sorted now. We love our friends up north and want them to be able to drink as much of this delicious H&L Merlot that they can. Thank you @golfaholic for the interest!
@FritzCat Funny, before the movie came out I thought I liked Pinot Noir, but I found myself drinking a lot more Merlot after. Didn’t intend to be a contrarian, but that’s the way things seem to shake out.
Wish I could find the person in my area that offered to split a case occasionally on the Triumph wine offering. This would be one I would like to split!
Their Tillerman is one of my favorite blends and we are drinking their Pinot Noir right now. Hook & Ladder is one of my go-to restaurant buys based on QPR even at the mark up. Been excited to see a number of offered from them here. I have not had the merlot but I’m in for a case based on their other offerings.
@KzooHiker Thank you! We love being a part of these offers and such a savvy and wine invested forum. I am so glad you are enjoying our wines. Enjoy your case!
@handldevin will do, for sure. My wife and I love your wines and have been to the tasting room when we make it out to CA. I’ve ordered a ton of wine lately and really didn’t NEED a full case. Luckily, two of us can benefit and enjoy some delicious wine.
It was nearly 20 years ago, but I still recall loving their Merlot when we visited them and their Petite Syrah from the last offering here has been solid. I’ll take a flyer on a case.
@knotworking Our Merlot is never disappointing, even 20 years later. The Chalk Hill Vineyard that we own is ideal for this varietal! I hope you enjoy and thank you for the kind words and fond memories.
@pupator Just in case you’re still looking for a split, I’m in SC but am going to be in Atlanta about 8 times over the next three months, and I’m good for half – or a few bottles.
2016 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot
Tasting Notes
Vintage, Vineyard and Winemaker Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$440.58 at Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery for 12x 2016 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 14 - Tuesday, Sep 15
Hook & Ladder Merlot
3 bottles for $56.99 $19/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $169.99 $14.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Hook & Ladder Merlot
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Hook & Ladder Merlot - $58 = 25.43%
I remember having a few Hook and Ladder cabs (different vintage) from that flash site that had all the discounts many years back, and in addition, a friend of mine had a bottle of their PN open a couple weeks ago at dinner. My impression / memory of both was that they were well made, well balanced, tasty wine. At this price, I image great QPR and looking forward to some rats.
@jhkey In fact more than a few Hook & Ladder offers here on casemates. Looks like it could be an interesting deal. Still current on the winery website @ $32.
@kaolis Haha - I guess I missed those!
@jhkey @kaolis Been working at H&L for 14 years and I will say our Merlot is consistently one of my favorite wines we produce. This 2016 was a gold and 93 point rating at this years North Coast Wine Comp and IT IS DELICIOUS!
Why won’t this wine ship to Minnesota? All others have in the past.
@golfaholic When you buy wine here, the actual seller is the winery - and each winery needs to have permits for every state that they deal with. Some states make it more difficult or expensive than others. If your state is restrictive, let your legislators know how you feel about it - this November.
@golfaholic @rpstrong We do ship to Minn. I apologize for this mix up and we are getting it sorted now. We love our friends up north and want them to be able to drink as much of this delicious H&L Merlot that they can. Thank you @golfaholic for the interest!
@golfaholic @handldevin @rpstrong Should be able to order & ship to MN now
It’s good that Merlot has recovered from Sideways.
@FritzCat Funny, before the movie came out I thought I liked Pinot Noir, but I found myself drinking a lot more Merlot after. Didn’t intend to be a contrarian, but that’s the way things seem to shake out.
@FritzCat Well, his cherished bottle was a1961 Cheval Blanc (St Emilion, cough, cough)
@FritzCat We will probably see that here soon . . .
Can you imagine the case price!! It would be a mortgage.
Hahahaha
@FritzCat Merlot is BACK! And I could not be happier.
Wish I could find the person in my area that offered to split a case occasionally on the Triumph wine offering. This would be one I would like to split!
@tread401 Gotta find someone. This is one of my favorites!
Their Tillerman is one of my favorite blends and we are drinking their Pinot Noir right now. Hook & Ladder is one of my go-to restaurant buys based on QPR even at the mark up. Been excited to see a number of offered from them here. I have not had the merlot but I’m in for a case based on their other offerings.
@KzooHiker Thank you! We love being a part of these offers and such a savvy and wine invested forum. I am so glad you are enjoying our wines. Enjoy your case!
Tampa Bay or Orlando area splits?
@neilornot Temple Terrace here would look forward to a split of this Merlot.
@brucenie good for half the case? I’ll pull the trigger.
@neilornot Enjoy!
@handldevin will do, for sure. My wife and I love your wines and have been to the tasting room when we make it out to CA. I’ve ordered a ton of wine lately and really didn’t NEED a full case. Luckily, two of us can benefit and enjoy some delicious wine.
Any rats expected?
Portland, OR split anyone?
It was nearly 20 years ago, but I still recall loving their Merlot when we visited them and their Petite Syrah from the last offering here has been solid. I’ll take a flyer on a case.
@knotworking Our Merlot is never disappointing, even 20 years later. The Chalk Hill Vineyard that we own is ideal for this varietal! I hope you enjoy and thank you for the kind words and fond memories.
@knotworking the petite syrah was amazing. I may have a bottle or two left. I love everything from H&L.
Anyone want to split a case in Atlanta (or Greenville, SC or Charlotte, NC - I’m there often.)
@pupator I’m in Atlanta and will take 1/2 a case. PM me and we can trade info.
@pupator Just in case you’re still looking for a split, I’m in SC but am going to be in Atlanta about 8 times over the next three months, and I’m good for half – or a few bottles.
@veevandyke @jhkey Sorry you two - I got my days mixed up and thought we had one more crack at this. Next time I’ll ask sooner!
I meant to grab this last night, but alas, time got away from me. Lesson learned…just buy, don’t intend to buy later!
UPS sucks once again… Status says attempted to deliver, but I was home all day, no tag, etc… now going to be in a truck all weekend…