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
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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