Nose
Opening with exhilarating aromas of lychee nut, grapefruit and
jasmine, our 2014 White Meritage is a well-balanced wine
made in the style of a Bordeaux Blanc.
Palate
An upfront creaminess is
balanced with a bright acidity in the finish with flavors of
passionfruit, minerality and a touch of floral rosemary upon the
palate.
Growing Conditions
The grapes for the Napa Valley White Meritage come from our
estate vineyards in Jameson Canyon and select Napa Valley
growers located in Chiles Valley District and Yountville. The
estate vineyards are planted on rolling hills at the southern end
of Napa Valley, where the growing conditions are very similar
to Carneros, the neighboring appellation just west of the Napa
River. Winds flow through Jameson Canyon, carrying in the
cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean, providing a long,
cool growing season that enhances the intensity of the
Sauvignon Blanc flavors.
In spite of the drought and the South Napa earthquake,
vintners are using words like “quality,” “depth of flavor” and
“excellent” to describe the 2014 vintage in Napa Valley. Many
are also noting “perfect weather,” “abundant crop” and “good
fortune”. Harvest started and ended earlier than usual. The first
grapes for sparkling wine picked on July 30 and nearly all
harvest activity was completed by the third week in October –
for many, a full two weeks ahead of the normal harvest
schedule.
Winemaking
Using no malolactic fermentation, a mix of native and
inoculated yeasts and sur-lie aging, the Sauvignon Blanc was
fermented in stainless steel while the Semillion was aged in
neutral French oak barrels.
