2021 Merlot Napa Valley
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Winemaker Notes
Handpicked in the early morning, the grapes were delivered to the winery where they were cluster sorted, destemmed and then berry sorted. The must was pumped to tank and cooled to achieve a temperature where we could hold the grape must without fermentation taking place. We held it there for four days, after which the cooling was turned off and the must was allowed to warm naturally and inoculated with specific yeast. The fermentation was carried out over a ten-day period at relatively high temperatures. Once primary fermentation was complete the wine was pressed off the skins and allowed to go through natural malolactic in barrel. The barrels were aged and racked twice during their lifetime of 13 months before bottling.
Vintage Notes
2021 started off gently with sunny skies and a warm spring. But as the spring wore on with little rain, it became clear that 2021 would be a drought year. As the dry but beautifully sunny summer continued, winemakers prepared for a lightened crop load, and the valley drifted into a beautiful fall as the weather ended perfectly. The grapes were harvested in perfect condition leading to another great Napa Valley vintage showcasing wines with powerful and intense flavor.
Vineyard Notes
Situated on fluvial soils deposited from the ever-changing course of the Napa River, this vineyard benefits from good drainage, perfect exposure and readily available nutrients. The farming uses quad trellising to protect the grapes from too much sun exposure, allowing for a long hang time with plenty of time for the grapes to ripen to their full potential.
