winemaker's notes:
This Napa Valley Merlot is blended to offer the complexity and balance of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the whole Napa Valley appellation. This wine is medium-bodied and balanced with a smooth entry, integrated soft tannins, and a long finish. The aroma is lifted with raspberry, red currant, blueberry, cherry cola, and delicate spice. The flavors are polished with blackberry, plum, black cherry, toast, and a hint of herb.
The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring; annual rainfall totals were well above average. We had an ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months—into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of 1997, where we had an abundant harvest of remarkable quality.
86% Merlot
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
3% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
"...this Merlot has a lot going for it. It’s full-bodied and rich in black currant, cherry, chocolate, violet, licorice and smoky oak flavors, with dense, intricate tannins. Probably best now and through 2009, before it drops its fresh fruit."
-Wine Enthusiast