2008 Napa Valley Merlot

Merlot is a noble, rich and plump transplant from the wealthiest of Bordeaux estates. It's an early-ripening grape and loves the cooler climates of Washington State, the Santa Barbara area and Napa Valley's Los Carneros district.

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While Cabernet is generally regarded as THE red Bordeaux grape, it is actually second in total acreage there and only plays a dominant role in the wines of the Médoc and Graves, where it is usually three-quarters of the blend. In St. Émilion and Pomerol and elsewhere in Bordeaux, Merlot is the favored grape and is on average two-thirds of the blend. The '08 Napa Merlot is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. All the grapes are sourced from Napa Valley fruit, with more 90% from our Los Carneros estate vineyard (Henry Ranch.) The great thing about combining these two grapes is that, with careful blending, you can isolate the best attributes of both in the finished wine. Merlot plays the luscious role, adding forward, fruity richness to the more austere qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon. More supple, and with higher alcohol and softer tannin, Merlot adds more approachability to the blend, while Cabernet Sauvignon offers structure, extract and longevity.

GOLD MEDAL!

* San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition                                                                           

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