On the nose, aromas of briary black cherry and cassis are present alongside allspice and ginger. Delicate oak integration emerges with notes of espresso and vanilla. These oak characteristics mesh well with the black cherry flavors and create a well-rounded expression perfect for sipping or paring with salted meats. The tannin is round and approachable, and the acidity helps keep the wine’s fruit flavors driving through the minutes-long finish. Ready to drink now, but cellar potential is there for those who are patient.
Varietal | Merlot |
---|---|
Vintage | 2018 |
Volume | 750mL |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
Alcohol % | 14.9% |
Enclosure Type | Cork |
After the grapes were crushed, we fermented the must in stainless steel tanks until dry. Gentle pump-overs during fermentation extracted flavor, deep color and tannins from the skins. We then pressed and transferred all the wines to small oak barrels coopered with French, Hungarian, and American oak to develop and integrate flavors, and then aged 15 months.
Beaulieu Vineyard Winemaker Trevor Durling, presides as only the fifth winemaker in the winery’s 119-year history. A native Californian, Trevor was raised in Sonoma County, the heart of Northern California’s wine country. With a love of agriculture, science and cuisine, Trevor pursued his studies at the University of California Davis in the Viticulture and Enology program. As winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, Trevor incorporates his passion for creating fine wines, while preserving the heritage and legacy of Beaulieu Vineyard.
The Napa Valley region enjoyed a stunning, near picture-perfect 2018 growing season including good winter rains, mild spring weather and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even and slow-paced harvest which allowed the winery to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The resulting 2018 Merlots are of very high quality with plenty of concentrated flavors, color and excellent acidity.
We sourced the majority of grapes for this wine from the original estate vineyard in Rutherford and a little in Yountville from Shiplette Vineyard. These specifically selected blocks along Rutherford bench and western benchland of Napa Valley have very well drained soils which creates just enough stress to allow for smaller yields. The result is smaller berries and a higher skin to juice ratio.
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