Nose
Layering in vanilla and dark chocolate aromas.
Palate
Vibrant cherry fruit flavors play against the chewy tannins and long, graceful finish.
Growing Conditions
A true Napa Valley blend of vineyards! Our Estate vineyards provide the backbone for the blend, totaling 50% 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.
Harvest
The 2014 vintage in Napa Valley celebrated a near-perfect growing season despite less than receiving less than half the normal rainfall. Late spring rains were well-timed, arriving
after budbreak, allowing for even flowering, fruit set and helped power the vines throughout the season. However the third year of continued drought had yields on our red grapes
difficult to estimate accurately.
Winemaking
11 Days Skin Contact; 100% Stainless Steel Fermentation
Aging
15 Months Barrel Aged; 28% New Oak.
Food Pairing
Consider pairing with a grilled duck sausage gussied up on a decadent brioche bun loaded up with a colored trio of sautéed peppers.
