Joseph Carr Merlot 2012
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After 20 years in the industry, first as a sommelier and then working directly with wineries, Joseph Carr followed a dream to make his own wine in Napa Valley. In 2002, he decided to pursue his passion, learning to make wine alongside Ted Edwards at Freemark Abbey.
Now as a successful winemaker in his own right, Joseph Carr employs a European sensibility in winemaking that emphasizes balance, complexity and elegance to produce high quality, hand-crafted, ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay at exceptional value.
Joseph Carr sources fruit from Northern California’s finest appellations – the St. Helena, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill, Carneros, Oakville and Paso Robles AVAs. Carr’s relationships across Napa Valley give him access to lots that could have gone into $100 bottles, but are instead blended to make Joseph Carr wines.
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.