Paoletti Merlot 1998

Paoletti Estates Winery: All the red grapes are grown in Calistoga, an ideal area for making great reds. We are making a small amount of chardonnay from our vineyard west of the city of Napa. The Estate has 11 acres planted; One to Sangiovese, one and a half to Malbec, one to Merlot, and the remaining to Cabernet. We also have a vineyard across from Montelena on Tubbs Lane with 20 acres of Merlot. We are totally self sufficient. We harvest by hand, and use all the finest French barrels. 50 % new every year. We only use them twice. Time in barrels depends on the variety. Cabernet & Merlot up to two years, and Sangiovese much less. Chardonnay is barrel fermented up to 11 months in oak. We don't however believe in over oaking anything. Charles Hendricks is our very talented winemaker out of Davis. He is making a great name for himself in the industry.