Murphy Vineyards, St. Helena California
2005 Meritage

BEST OF CLASS California Appellation
2009 California State Fair Wine Competition

This wine has beautiful deep ruby color that shows perfect clarity. Dark and dusky mixed berries lead the charge, giving way to raspberry, cherry, soft spice, earthen oak and a hint smoky meat and the most delicate eucalyptus. The taste is brightly exciting and delicious with a big smoky juiciness. Flavors of bright red cherry, blackberry, blueberry, soft spice and black pepper with the mild earthen components of a cigar box. The finish is long, bright and lush, the flavors morph and change as they gently tail off – ultimately finishing dry and slightly smoky.

The 2005 growing season was an excellent year for vintners. Record breaking crop yields and high quality grapes made outstanding wines from all over California without sacrificing quality. Harvest came a little later than normal due to a long, cool growing season. Fall brought a supply of heat and sunshine which pushed the berries to maturity but allowed the fruit an extended hang time. This offers great flavor development in the berries.

Cabernet Franc Sierra Foothills 60%
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 40% 

The Cabernet Franc produces a lighter style wine, especially when it’s grown in a warmer area like the Sierra Foothills. The well drained, granitic soils make this area prime Cab Franc country. The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the Aetna Springs area of Napa Valley. This area is known for its warmer summers that really help to soften the grape skins and intensify the Cabernet flavors. The oak barrel program consisted of 40% new French oak barrels (Marchive, center of France, medium toast). It was bottled in May of 2008 after almost two and a half years in the barrel.

About The Winery...

Murphy Vineyards is dedicated to bringing balanced, high quality, premium wines that are food-friendly and worthy of cellaring. But premium doesn’t mean triple-digit prices for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Peter Murphy founded Murphy Vineyards in 1995 after managing vineyards in the Napa Valley for 20 years. His first vintage was made with a select lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mount Veeder region. The result was two barrels of soft, luscious single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet. There was no turning back for Peter.

Kevin Murphy joined Murphy Vineyards in 2006, but his earliest memories involve farming and winemaking. Kevin helps his father tend the vineyards and select the final blends for the wines. He also manages the business side of the winery.

With the addition of Kevin Murphy, the two have worked together to mold and create the style of Murphy Vineyards. With production larger than the first vintage and now producing more than one varietal, they are able to match their growing talents to the highest form of the winemakers art: Blending. In each bottle you will find complex aromas, solid structure with a long smooth finish. Truly easy drinking wine.

Learn more at www.murphyvineyards.com

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