Nose
Our 2011 Small Lot Napa Valley Meritage is an elegant wine that
opens with inviting aromas of black cherry, red liquorice, and mulled
spices.
Palate
On the palate, the wine is incredibly balanced, offering flavors
of ripe red fruits and tea leaf accented by a hint of tobacco and
minerality.
Growing Conditions
2011 was as challenging as it was educational. What began with a wet
winter and spring continued with rainfall into mid-June. The
precipitation totals for the season found the region more than a third
above normal in rainfall, and while this was good news for water
resources, the cloud cover and cool temperatures delayed vine
development by several weeks at the onset of the growing season.
Despite this, we found that the flavors from this vintage developed at
lower brix, giving us the opportunity to make truly elegant wine.
Winemaking
The grapes for this Meritage are grown in the famed Napa Valley
appellation, specifically from our Fotsch, Kennific, Shifflett, and
Jamieson Canyon vineyards. The blend is made up of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc providing an
array of varietal characteristics to work with when crafting the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon provides richness to the wine, while Merlot
contributes to the silky mouth feel. The Cabernet Franc provides
stunning aromatics while the Petit Verdot lends backbone to the
overall structure of the wine resulting in a blend that will age nicely
over the next 8-10 years
Aging
This Meritage is 100% barrel-aged for 18
months in French oak, 50% new.
Food Pairing
With a structured tannin finish and nice acidity, this wine
pairs perfectly with any classic pasta dish with marinara sauce.
