One-half of Intersection's flagship Merlot pair (along with Alluvia)

2017 was the sixth season of our separation between the Alluvia and Silica Merlots. This separation allowed for more specified vineyard management, which together with the consistently hot growing season, resulted in a beautifully stable and uniform crop of fruit. The thin sand caused strain upon the vines, resulting in stronger acid and tannin structure in the fruit. Upon harvest, the Silica is treated to 28 days of fermentation followed by aging in tight-grained French oak, 30% new. This wine is gravity clarified, meaning that we rack the juice off of the settled sediment rather than pushing it through filter pads. This results in bolder structure, more density, and the designation: “unfiltered.”