Hestan Vineyards Stephanie Merlot 2015
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The provenance of Napa Valley's Hestan Vineyards, the pedigree of Bordeaux's classic red grape varietals and the artistry of consulting winemaker Jeff Gaffner come together in "Stephanie" by Hestan Vineyards. Named for owners Stanley and Helen Chen's only daughter, whose concert harp is depicted on the label, Stephanie is the virtuoso expression of Hestan Vineyard's full varietal composition.
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This is made with 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbal and earthy, it has a softness of texture and integrated tannin, with delicate layers of plum, dark cherry and cedar that complement each other well, finishing in a hint of dark chocolate.
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.