On the palate, the tannins are smooth and the flavors are rich and mouthfilling, with abundant ripe fruit and layers of vanilla and sweet oak.
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Harvest Dates: August 31 — October 15, 2008
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25.3° Brix
11 Napa Valley appellations
Varietal Content
98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-Style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 12 Months
Age of Barrels: 5% new, 95% second vintage
Production/Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.56 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80°F
pH: 3.65
Bottled: January 2010
Released: February 2010
4 Stars - Excellent
The 2008 Merlot is fleshy and full bodied; a fairly intense and complex wine, especially at the price. More>
88 points
A substantial Merlot, with a well-defined structure, firm tannins, and good length on the palate, this wine stands as a counterpoint to the bevy of sappy, candied California Merlots whose only charm comes from their sugar. More>
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