Vineyard
Our Merlot grapes are estate grown on the winery’s Spanos Berberian Estate Vineyard in Yountville approximately one mile south of the Yountville Hills. Yountville enjoys the early morning fog and cool growing conditions of the maritime influenced southern Napa Valley, whilst the early receding fog gives us more sunlight and warmer daytime temperatures than the more southerly Carneros region.  Our warm summer daytime temperatures and cool evenings result in grapes with rich fruit flavors and an excellent acid balance.

 

Our Merlot grapes were hand-harvested and gently crushed to minimize crushing of berries and maximize fruit character.  We fermented with a peak of 84°F with our favorite yeast strain, and extracted utilizing gentle irrigation over the skins up to three times daily.  Following fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels, and was then racked and returned to barrel.  The wine was barrel aged in French oak barrels (16% new) for 20 months.

 

Vintage 2019 brought a very even ripening season for most of Napa Valley.  Spring was gentle and warm, with an average timing for bud-break, and a steady growth pattern of spring.  June and July turned up the heat - temperatures hovered in the 90s or higher, with a few sustained heat spells, and we moved into a moderately warm August with balanced vine growth producing healthy, leafy canopies.  Fortunately, even temperatures followed the hotter pre-veraison months, allowing fruit to hang and continue ripening through September’s end and into October.  We carefully scheduled picking, often in the coolest hours approaching sunrise.  Sauvignon Blanc grapes came in about a week behind average, while most of the other grapes fell in around their normal harvest dates, responding well to the consistent temperatures of August, September and October.  Our winemaker appreciates the vintage for allowing time to harvest the grapes when desired, rather than at the whim of heat spikes or fermenter space.

 

Our estate merlot opens with attractive black raspberry and dark cherry aromas, framed by a hint of graham cracker.  Tasting it reveals a palate that mirrors the nose, with additional flavors of candied cranberry, under-ripe blackberry, currants, pie crust and nuances of black tea leaves.  Unlike many merlots out there, the finish is long and memorable.  The solid tannins and bright acidity indicate that this will be a long-lived wine.  Best enjoyed 4-8 years from vintage.