Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Merlot is an attractive, plump offering bursting with expressive fruit. Sweet, floral and spiced notes add lift on the finish in this mid-weight, vinous Merlot. This is a decidedly accessible wine for the vintage.
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Wine & Spirits
A blend focused on Keenan’s estate fruit from their Spring Mountain vineyard, this includes 29 percent of merlot grapes grown in Carneros. It’s a rich wine with power in its structure and tense tannins. There’s a fresh note of green herb that melds with black cherry flavors, then the wine turns toward its oak notes of chocolate and spice.
While the beauty and history of the land are appealing, it is the richness of the soils that makes the hillside perfect for an estate winery. These soils are, in great measure, responsible for the dramatic intensity of the fruit associated with the ultra-premium wines produced at Robert Keenan Winery.
Keenan completed a solar power system on their property that went on-line in 2007. The system supplies all of the estate’s energy needs, including the winery, administrative offices, visitor hospitality area, and the homes located on the property. The Napa Valley Vintners have recognized Keenan as a “green” winery, which they proudly announce on the back labels: Solar Powered and Sustainably Farmed.
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.