Winemaker Notes
The color is a rich ruby indepth with reddish hues.The aroma is appealing withnuances of dried cranberry, redraspberry, cherry, chocolateespresso, not to miss the subtlehints of mint and arugula.The pleasant balance in theflavor, while finishing on thecrisp side, is accented by flavorsof plum, cherry, dark fruit,chocolate and oak spice,finishing with a maturingtannin structure.
This wine goes particularlywell with grilled lamb or game.
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.