ABOUT THIS WINE
Our Napa Valley collection of wines are crafted with the same approach to winemaking as our limited-production estate wines, resulting in wines of supple power and elegance. In fact, fruit from our estate vineyards makes a significant contribution to our Napa Valley Merlot. Then, to complement our estate fruit’s distinctive qualities of flavor and structure, we turn to independent growers whose vineyards meet our rigorous farming standards.
TASTING NOTES
Vibrant red fruit aromas of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry rise from the glass and mingle with spicy notes of
cardamom, anise, and vanilla. Similar flavors weave across the palate along with bright red plum and nutmeg. Soft, subtle
tannins create a silky entry and medium weight to this well balanced wine. Enjoy the 2005 Merlot with a pork tenderloin
in pomegranate sauce or, for more casual fare, try it with a prosciutto and brie panini.
VINEYARDS AND WINEMAKING
Nearly fifty-five percent of this blend is composed of estate fruit. We get much of this fruit from our
ARCADIA VINEYARD, which contributes structure as well as a core of red berry and plum characters with elements of
spice. Then we layer in fruit from B.R.V., our estate vineyard in the Oak Knoll District, providing rounder, brighter
fruit notes and a tobacco leaf character. To augment the supple character of the Merlot, we added a small but
important percent of Cabernet Sauvignon to build weight and intensity. Fourteen months in French oak barrels brings
all the elements together for an approachable, yet refined wine.
VINTAGE
With its abundance and quality of fruit, the 2005 vintage has the potential to be among the best of the decade. Heavy rainfall after bud break and during fruit set made for a nervous start to the growing season. Fortunately, temperatures rose following bloom and remained moderate throughout the summer. The late spring rains and moderate temperatures reduced the need for irrigation, and some of our blocks were dry farmed throughout the season. In September, warmer weather arrived with an Indian summer that provided ideal conditions for the final push to ripeness. |
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RETAIL PRICE
$42
per bottle
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