Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2002
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Hand-harvested grapes were gently destemmed and partially crushed. In keeping with tradition, the juice was fermented in a combination of open and closed-top fermenters maximizing extraction of the rich color, complex tannins and layers of aromas and flavors. The wine was aged for 21 months in fifty percent new French oak barrels to add spice and encourage the tannins to fully integrate. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon along with a touch of Cabernet Franc contribute to the complexity and length of finish.
In the nose, there are aromas of black fruit, cedar, vanilla, cherry and anise complemented with notes of orange peel, dark chocolate and black tea. The signature brambly character of Stags' Leap wines is immediately recognizable. A burst of blackberry, blueberry, and cola flavors tumble in the mid palate. Fully integrated and highly structured, this balanced, dark, fullbodied MERLOT delivers a creamy texture and supple tannins that linger during a long finish.
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A fashionable country resort in the mid-twentieth century, popular with Hollywood due to its 1892 stone Manor House and historic gardens, legends of bootleggers and gangsters, ghosts and gypsies, Stags' Leap has been home to three major family groups up through the modern revitalization of the winery that began in the 1970s.
Stags Leap Manor, as it was called in the 1920s, was known as one of the prominent country retreats in the Napa Valley at a time when resort and spa business was big. In addition to lodging and dining, amenities included lawn tennis, swimming, horseback riding, children's activities, golf, music, cards, a library, and Napa Valley wines and liquors (prior to and after Prohibition).
An intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, Stags Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.