This wine displays all of the benefits of slow, even ripening during a mild growing season. Though there is fullness and a lush character to this Merlot, there is also restraint and elegance. Promising aromas of cherry, red plum, raspberry, and dried herbs lead to a clean fresh entry with impeccably balanced acidity supporting intense red fruit flavors of cranberry, plum and raspberry. Round, supple tannins provide an enticing framework for the flavors and contribute to a lingering finish.
From our first Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blocks to our final red-varietal Estate picks, our 2009 harvest spanned more than two months. Though the 2009 growing season presented certain challenges—from early shatter to late-season rain—a thoughtful response in the vineyards yielded smaller-than-normal crops of high-quality fruit. This response included aggressive leafing, an early thinning protocol and a heavy field sort to select only the most desirable grapes.
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 10 — October 21, 2009
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25.3° Brix
Varietal Content
84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 15 Months
Age of Barrels: 25% new, 75% second vintage
Production/Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.59 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80°F
pH: 3.51
Bottled: April 2011
Release Date: December 2011