Winemaker Notes

Petit Verdot is one of the lesser-known varieties of Bordeaux. It is generally blended with Merlot and Cabernet and adds color and structure to blends. Grapes for this wine come predominantly from vineyards here in the heart of Alexander Valley. The resulting wine was used in our Reserve Alexandre Meritage blend with the balance being matured separately for this Winemaker's Selection wine.

A rich and powerful wine. As with classic Petit Verdot, the wine is deep and dense in color. The nose is somewhat restrained in comparison to other Bordeaux varieties but shows bright raspberry fruit, enhanced by cedary oak overtures. The bold flavorsome palate with firm tannin finish is indicative of this variety.

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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

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