Description
“The 2006 Napa Valley Merlot is an aromatic, inviting wine from the start. This wine is brimming with plum, blackberry and sweet vanilla aromas. The flavors are equally rich – I get black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke. The tannins are dense, and the finish is supple despite the heft and complexity of the wine overall.” – Winemaker, Laurie Hook “This vineyard, and the relationship we’ve had with the Bancroft family, has always been deeply special to Ed and myself. We’ve been making a vineyard-designated Bancroft Ranch Merlot since the 1987 vintage when Ed first demonstrated how fantastic Merlot can be when planted in the right place. Bancroft Ranch consistently produces grapes with amazing concentration of flavors, tannins and structure. Howell Mountain Merlot is an exceptionally complex wine, full of espresso and dark cherry aromas that lead into a rich ripe black fruit flavors with hints of cedar and orange rind, brown spice and mint. It has tremendous body, complex layers of black fruit, and a supple, lingering finish.” – Laurie Hook, Winemaker