Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley
The Napa Valley Merlot fruit comes primarily from the Suscol Springs Estate vineyard at the southern end of the Napa Valley. Vines struggle in rocky Hambright outcrop soils planted on steep hillsides with a southern exposure. These blocks produce grapes with distinctive, true-to-varietal flavors, bright acidity and a muscular structure that is ideal for aging. Each vineyard lot is harvested, de-stemmed and crushed separately. The various lots are fermented in a mix of small closed and open-top stainless steel tanks, with pumpovers to fully extract color, flavor and tannin from the skins. After fermentation, the new wines are transferred to carefully selected French oak barrels, approximately one-third new, where they age for six to eight months before being blended. The blended wine then spends an additional nine to eleven months in barrel to impart further complexity to the wine prior to bottling.
Deep, lovely aromas of ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit are complemented by light floral notes in the nose of this plush, supple Merlot. Rich, concentrated flavors of ripe blackberry, black plum and blackcurrant fill the lush palate, framed by fine-grained tannins, leading to a long finish showcasing bright black cherry, berry and mineral tones. Delicious now, this classic Napa Valley Merlot will gain further complexity with another 5-7 years’ bottle age.
- Steep, rocky Suscol Springs vineyard provides concentrated flavors and supple tannins.
- Matured in 44% new French oak for 17 months for greater complexity and elegance.
- Delicious upon release. Elegance and complexity will enhance with 5-7 years aging.
About the Grape
