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Wine Details
Price:
$24.00 per bottle
Description:
For our 2006 Napa Valley Merlot, grapes from three of our vineyards in three distinct areas of the Valley were used. Each vineyard, under the management of Proprietor/Vineyard Director Pat Garvey, is farmed using sustainable and organic practices. And due to their endless diversity of soil types, exposures, and elevations, each adds its own individuality and personality to the blend. The Komes Ranch grapes add intensity and structure, those from Oakville fill in with bouquet and flavors of raspberries and red fruits and those from Pope Valley contribute deep color and supple tannins. Winemaker Paul Steinauer explains, “in 2006, our vineyard team worked hard with the Merlot to get an even more concentrated character from the grapes. Aggressive crop thinning rewarded us with wines exhibiting an even deeper color and full midpalate.”
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Varietal Definition
Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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