Havens Merlot 2004
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Parker
Robert
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Winemaker Notes
Our 2004 Napa Valley Merlot is now full and luscious, in a sense the most classic style for Napa Valley. This wine is destined to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a juicy, rich mouth-feel and varietally true black fruits. Yet the tannins are round and mouth filling, so the resulting wine on the palate is still balanced. It answers firmly that a rich wine can be complex, nuanced and elegant.
"The 2004 Merlot Carneros (which includes small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) exhibits more depth and concentration. Its bouquet reveals aromas of chocolate, coffee beans, black currants, and sweet cherries. With excellent texture and medium to full body, it should keep for 7-8 years." 88 Points
Wine Advocate
December 2007
Professional Ratings
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Other Vintages
2005-
Parker
Robert
Havens Wine Cellars is located just south of Yountville and a short quieting drive off Highway 29, Napa Valley’s main winery tour route. The pastoral 10-acre site located on the Mayacamas benchland includes a 7½ acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah grapes lovingly tended.
Our own estate vineyard on Hoffman Lane, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, is an interesting variation on the south Napa Valley vineyard characteristics we value so much. First, we are actually in a little warmer spot here than many of our other vineyards because we sit close to the Mayacamas foothills, slightly in their lee from the prevailing south wind. This means that our daily cooling from the marine airflow is a bit delayed, keeping us warmer for an hour or two longer than vineyards even a few miles east. On the other hand, since we sit on the east-facing slope, we don’t get the full heat of the afternoon sun like vineyards just across the Valley, five miles away in the Stags Leap District. All this combines to define what is called the “diurnal range,” or the daily swing of temperature and wind, and we think it is the single most important factor in a vineyard’s terroir. Our soils here on Hoffman Lane are deep, but include a lot of gravel in the clay loam, and thus they can dry out quickly without drip irrigation. We are still learning the subtleties of farming this site, but have found Syrah here especially well-adapted to the place.
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.