Winemaker Notes
2015 was a very early harvest for our Profile Estate Vineyard due to the dry, hot vintage. The vines had little vigor and carried little fruit. Consequently, harvest was quick and the fruit was ripe at the same time throughout the vineyard. The heat around harvest also resulted in very good extractability of tannins and color which allowed us to limit maceration time and only extract the best part of the skins. The finished wine is very dark in color and in flavor with hints of blackberries, dark cherries, cedar and dark chocolate. In the mouth, the velvet texture and fine grained tannins are remarkable.
Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesBlending 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this is a big-boned and full-bodied wine that shows serious intent and complexity. Clove, vanilla and coconut notes are wrapped in sizable weight and a concentrated black-currant flavor, finishing with dried herb and tobacco accents.
Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through conservation, renewable energy and sustainable farming practices at our three estate vineyards. Merryvale has received Napa Green Vineyard, Napa Green Winery and Bay Area Green Business certifications.
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.
