Description
The long, cool harvest produced varietally focused and brightly structured wines like our 2013 Merlot. Classic plum and cherry aromas show their floral side but are layered with of cinnamon, toffee and toasty barrel character. Harmonious plum flavors are accented with blackberry and cola from blending in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, which additionally added a bit of grip to the mid-palate. A true Napa Valley blend of vineyards! Our Estate vineyards provide the backbone for the blend, totaling almost 60% of this bottling. Merlot from Oak Knoll gives sour cherry character while the Yountville components provide the classic Bing cherry aromas and flavors for which our Merlot is known. The jammy notes come from blending in warmer up-valley fruit from Calistoga vineyards. Much care is taken to maximize the filtered light and allow the Merlot to hang freely within the canopy during harvest. This allows the fruit to mature and color evenly, leaving any vegetal hints behind. The wines are sent to barrels as individual lots to mature, allowing for greater understanding of the direct impact of our viticultural and fermentation practices each vintage. Perfect Pairings Enjoy with a decadent homemade mac-n-cheese topped with crunchy topping to bring it all together.
