Winemaker Notes
Aromas of blackberry, caramel and vanilla mingle with toasty oak, and an intriguing nutty character, inviting you to explore this wine. Upon tasting, rich sweet flavors of black cherry, cola and bittersweet chocolate coat your palate and lead to a creamy finish of ripe fruit and toast. This Merlot is approachable now but will continue to show well for at least the next ten years.
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.