Napa Cellars - Merlot - 750ml

Tasting Notes Napa Cellars Merlot boasts fruit aromas of Maraschino cherries, plum, and dark berries, layered with cedar, graphite, a hint of mocha and some earthy notes. This medium- to full-bodied wine showcases dark fruit on the palate, including black plum and black cherry, along with chocolate, toffee, tobacco, leather and clove. The 2021 Merlot has a velvety texture, persistent acid and smooth tannins. Vineyard Notes Grapes for the 2021 Napa Cellars Merlot are primarily sourced from Bayview Red Hen Vineyard in the Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley. This region is ideal for cultivating Merlot grapes, with a moderate to cool climate that supports an extended growing season, resulting in an elegant, complex, and balanced wine. Production Notes Once harvested, the grapes underwent a 13 to 15 day maceration period and were fermented using the délestage method. This process allows the winemaker to extract color and flavor from the skins. After the fermentation process was completed, the wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 36% of which were new. Winemaker Notes Drought conditions characterized the growing season of 2021. Less water to the vines produced lower yields, but incredibly high quality. Moderate temperatures throughout the growing season with minimal heat spikes contributed to an early harvest with excellent fruit expression, vibrant acidity, and lower sugars in the grapes.