This Merlot comes from a special block dedicated to Alain Raynaud and his family of Bordeaux and is blended with 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged 21 months in 20% new French oak barrels, it’s crafted in a focused, distinctly Bordelais style—restrained, balanced, and elegant rather than opulent. Subtle aromas of cherry and red currant mingle with cedarwood, sage, and bay laurel. The palate reveals plummy and raspberry fruit framed by firm, fine-grained tannins that build toward a dry, structured finish. This wine would benefit from another year of cellaring to soften its edges and will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 3–7 years. Founder and winemaker David Jeffrey established Calluna Vineyards in 2005, planting 12 acres of estate vineyards in Sonoma County’s Chalk Hill AVA, followed by an additional 5 acres in 2014. After earning his degree in viticulture and enology at Fresno State, Jeffrey apprenticed under Alain Raynaud at Château Quinault in Saint-Émilion.