Nose
The 2012 vintage of our Small Lot Napa Valley Meritage opens with
pleasing aromas of mocha, bright red fruits, and a touch of fresh earth.
Palate
Upon the palate, flavors of cassis, allspice, dark chocolate and toasty
accents burst forth. A full, round mouthfeel with juicy tannins and nice
balance.
Growing Conditions
"Classic" and "perfect" are just two accolades being bestowed upon the
2012 Napa Valley growing season and harvest. Textbook conditions
saw near-ideal spring bud break, steady flowering, even fruit set, and a
lengthy stretch of warm days and cool, foggy nights during the long
summer months. Late and light rains held off until Napa Valley's
treasured wine grapes found optimal ripeness, bringing exceptional
quality to the crush pad and into the cellar.
Winemaking
The grapes for this Meritage are grown in the famed Napa Valley
appellation, and the blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Petit Verdot, Malbec 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 Malbec and 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, 45% new.
Food Pairing
This pairs beautifully with traditional pasta dishes with
marinara sauce.
