THE WINE:
Our 2019 Napa Valley Merlot has expressive aromas of baked cherry and blueberry followed by lovely hints of ground coffee, cream soda and charred rosemary. This medium-bodied wine delights with flavors of baked cherry, cola and brown sugar accented with hints of cinnamon and toasted caramel across the long soft finish.
THE VINTAGE:
The 2019 vintage was best characterized as a steady, even growing season, where our vineyard managers had the luxury of letting each estate’s crop leisurely mature to perfection. Preceded by a cool, wet spring, the season got off to a late start, running about 10 days behind a typical cycle. Accordingly, verasion started a bit late, followed by pretty even heat and ripening thereafter. For the second year in a row, the harvest began in August but extended well into November. Like 2018, it remained relatively warm and dry until we took in the last of our fruit on November 8th. Winemaker Stacy Clark noted that the average sized harvest yielded grapes with smaller berries and loose clusters which lends good color and concentration. Acidity levels are good, with moderate brix levels, and she is excited about the wines this vintage will produce.
- Varietals:
- 90% Merlot
- 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1% Malbec
- 1% Petit Verdot
- Barrel Aged: 15 months in French oak barrels
- Alcohol: 14.9%
- pH: 3.74
- TA: 0.57g/100ml