This wine opens with an alluring nose of floral notes and dark red berries, characteristic of a quintessential Napa Valley Merlot. The palate is supple and polished with a seamless integration of fruit and tannin, enhanced by the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon and a hint of Cabernet Franc. The long, vibrant finish highlights meticulous craftsmanship and perfect balance.
Winter and spring provided ample rain, which allowed the vines to set a generous crop with excellent canopies. Budbreak arrived a little over a week early, and we enjoyed warm, steady weather throughout spring and summer. We began picking Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Merlot as early as mid-August, but the first big push began after a Labor Day heat event, when our generous canopies paid dividends, helping shade the grapes. After a busy few weeks, a cool spell allowed the remaining grapes time to mature. To counter the impact of modest mid-September rains, we applied a careful fruit drop, and were equally diligent during sorting. Overall, harvest lasted eleven weeks, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse and dynamic acidity.
