90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
90 Points, Gold Medal, EXCEPTIONAL - Tastings.com
Pair it with grilled flank steak, lamb burgers or veal chops.
Vintage: The 2018 vintage was bountiful, marked by cool, consistent temperatures and a timely rainfall for bud break in March and April. Harvest began on September tenth, and the grapes were of the highest quality with lower alcohol and high acidity.
Vineyard: This Merlot is grown both in cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and in their warmer Yountville vineyard. They blended Merlot from all three vineyards to create a balanced, robust wine that combines the richness and depth from the warmer climates and perfume and bright fruitiness from the cooler climates. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, farmed from five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides and certified organic.
Alcohol: 14.4% by volume
Varietal: 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley Estate
Harvest date: October 8-22, 2018
Sugar: 24.4 Brix (average)
Fermentation: Indigenous yeast
Skin Contact: 2 weeks in stainless steel
Total acid: 5.5g/L
pH: 3.62
Aging: 20 months
Type of oak: French oak barrels; 37% new, 63% neutral
Bottling date: July 2020
Release date: April 2021
91 Points, Wine Spectator
This is a big wine with luxurious texture. Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Loaded with old-vine character in every sip. Combining 42% Carignane, 38% Mourvèdre and 20% Zinfandel, from vines over 130 years in age. Dark red in color with black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, plum, cocoa, and highlights of cranberry, black pepper, tar and earth. Velvety mouthfeel, great structure with black cherry, pomegranate, chocolate, tar and peppery spice. Satisfies the palate with a long spicy fruit driven finish.
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