Pair grilled steaks or lamb, splash a little around to balance the spice and sauces for butter chicken and wild game.
Winemaker: Nils Venge, regarded as one of the foremost pioneers in the Napa Valley wine industry who became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100-point rating from Robert Parker on his 1985 Reserve Cabernet while at Groth.
Vintage: High rain fall at the beginning of the season, a mild winter, and then transitioned into a beautiful spring. There was early bud break and flowering, followed by sunny days and high temperatures through June and August.
Harvest & Winemaking: Handpicked 5.5 tons of Merlot in the early morning on October 10, 2017 in Oakville. 75% of the fruit originated from their estate vineyard, and 25% from Truchard Vineyard, Carneros. After the grapes were put through the crusher/de-stemmer they went to tank for a two day cold soak. The must was inoculated with cultured Montrachet yeast, and fermented and pumped over 12 days at least three times daily to enhance color, flavor and tannin extraction from the skins. After two rackings, the wine was transferred to 60% new French oak barrels. For additional depth, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel over 20 months.
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley
Harvest date: October 10, 2017
Sugar: 24.8 Brix (average)
Fermentation: Montrachet yeast
Skin Contact: 2 days in stainless steel
Total acid: 6.5 g/L
pH: 3.9
Aging: 20 months
Cooperage: 20 months in 60% new French oak barrels
Bottling date: May 2019
Release date: May 2021
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume
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97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
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