2023
Merlot
Since we planted our Merlot in Carneros, in the 1980s, we’ve produced a special bottling of this rich and complex variety each year.
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2023
Merlot
The Merlot leads with a potpourri of spiced mulberry and dried herbs de Provence.
A potpourri of spiced mulberry and dried herbs de Provence, the Merlot greets the nose in style. Black olive and raspberry make way for Jordan almond, portending a fragrance that transports you near the foothills of the Mediterranean. Sweet raspberry juice greets the palate and maintains its vigor for some time. The finish is unhurried, reminiscent of the powdered icing sugar on your favorite confection. Enjoy the wine now or cellar for 3-7 years. And make a meal of it, pouring the wine in the company of a tofu or duck banh mi.
Vintage
2023
Alcohol
15.5%
Region
Napa Valley
Vintage
Merlot
Vintage Notes
The 2023 growing season began with heavy winter rain, replenishing our reservoirs and lakes. Bud break was delayed due to a cooler than usual season, typically occurring once every 10 to 15 years. Despite this, we enjoyed a lengthy season with yields from average to 10% above average. With no disease pressure, increased soil water, and extended hang time, 2023 is destined to be legendary. Our vines thrived with healthy canopies, and the grapes ripened slowly, ensuring this “once-in-a decade” vintage provided fruit that could perform at the apex of quality.
Winemaker’s Notes
The 2023 vintage was harvested October 27th and October 30th. The grapes were hand-harvested at night when temperatures often dip to 50°F to capture vibrant acidity and fruit expression in the wine.
We first cold-soaked the must (crushed grapes) for gentle extraction and then fermented in stainless steel, concrete and oak barrel fermenters at 88°F. Rigorous pump-overs, increasing during the peak of the fermentation, developed deep color, rich varietal character, and fine tannins in the wine. The wine was aged in 41% new French oak and 7% new American oak barrels to meld the bright fruit expression with oak spice nuances. After three months of aging, we blended the vineyard components allowing them to marry for a total of 20 months of barrel élevage. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to present the attributes of the vineyard in the purest form possible, from the dirt to the glass!
