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Tasting Notes
With freshness exhibiting its southern Napa origins, the 2019 Merlot leaps from the glass with layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark raspberry, alongside baking spice notes of cinnamon spice, vanilla, and crème brûlée. Savory, chaparral notes of lavender, bay laurel, mint and thyme accompany succulent tones of cherry kirsch and bittersweet chocolate. Hints of anise and hazelnut play on the palate, a nod to the delicately interwoven oak integration. Opulent and plush with mouthwatering acidity, polished structure, and finesse, all framed by present, mouthcoating tannins, finishing with layers and depth, showcasing the balance, elegance, and grace of this exemplary Merlot.Technical Information
| Varietal | Merlot |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Blend | 94% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah and 1% Malbec |
| Oak Treatment | 100% French oak (32% new) for 19 months |
| Alcohol % | 14.1% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
Scores & Accolades
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93“Aromas of plums, ripe red cherries, wet stones and roses. Medium-to full-bodied with soft tannins. Juicy and succulent with a lovely bed of red fruit. So fresh, too. Enchanting. 94% merlot, 5% petite sirah and 1% malbec. Drink now.” - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, June 1, 2022
Winemaking
The grapes for this Napa Valley Merlot underwent a 2-3 week maceration period designed to extract ideal flavor, color and tannin from the skins. Using traditional winemaking techniques, Winemaker Christophe Paubert aged this Merlot in high quality French oak barrels (32% new) for 19 months. The new oak imparts structure, ageability, and a slight spice complexity that still allows the fresh fruit flavors to take center stage.Vintage
The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years, mostly due to February rains, but because the vines were in their winter dormancy, it did not affect the 2019 crop. Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.Vineyard
Our Napa Valley Merlot is crafted with grapes from vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley. Fruit from Oak Knoll makes up most of the blend, with the remaining fruit is sourced from the Oakville appellation as well as our very own Stags Leap District. Merlot can lose its varietal identity when exposed to too much heat, but the fruit from these select southerly vineyards exhibit varietal expressions of fresh fruit character, structure, and bright acidity.