Saddleback
2021 Merlot
, Napa Valley
Oakville

Gold Medal
90 Points - Tastings.com

Dark ruby red in the glass, and good swirl on the nose offers generous aromatics of cassis, black cherry and spice.  Generously oaked, with crushed blackberry, baked plums, baking spices, and Turkish fig. A supple body, gives way to red and dark fruit like plum, blueberry compote, prune, with anise and light spice on the finish.  Its rich tannins create a harmony of flavors that are desirable for sipping and enjoyable with a wide variety of foods.  This is a true Cabernet-lover's Merlot that should not be missed!

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:  The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised everyone with a beautiful vintage.  An unseasonably dry and mild winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season.  A relatively warm, but even summer, resulted in early harvest dates, with lower-than-average yields with good quality.

Harvest & Winemaking:  Handpicked 3.6 tons of Merlot in the early morning on October 10, 2021 in Oakville.  49% of the fruit originated from their estate vineyard, and 51% from Fortuna Vineyard, Oakville.  After the grapes were put through the crusher/de-stemmer they went to tank for a two day cold soak.  The must was inoculated 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 28 months.

Varietal:  100% Merlot
Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley
Harvest date:  October 10, 2021
Sugar:  24.6 Brix (average)
Fermentation:  Malolactic conversion
Skin Contact: 2 days in stainless steel
Total acid:  6.5 g/L
pH:  3.5
Aging:  28 months
Cooperage:  60% new French oak barrels
Bottling date:  April 2024
Release date:  February 2025
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume

Tasting Notes  PDF

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