Vine Cliff Merlot 2001 Napa Valley

THE VINEYARDS: Our 2001 Napa Valley Merlot cane from a variety of vineyard locations from our Oakville Estate in the north to the Carneros District in the south. Blending grapes grown from different areas allows us to create a wine with great depth, concentration and complexity.

THE WINEMAKING: The grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted and then destemmed into small stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The grapes were cold soaked for 4 days before fermentation was started. When the color and flavor had been fully extracted and the tannins were rich and supple, the wine was drained from the fermentation tanks and gravity fed into new and one year old chateau style French oak barrels for aging. This wine was aged in 50% new French oak for 17 months in our caves before being bottled. Our 2001 Napa Valley Merlot has 5% Cabernet Franc blended into it to add structure and finish.

THE EXPERIENCE: The aroma features black cherry and currant fruits with smoky, toasty oak and layers of spices. On the palate, the Merlot has a rich core of black cherry and plum flavors with hints of anise and spice. Full bodied with toast and ripe chocolaty tannins which linger on the finish.

THE PRESS:

92 points: "Displays real mastery at this often difficult varietal. Fairly tannic now, but the spiced plum, blackcurrant and coffee flavors are so rich, they burst through the astringency to dazzle the palate. Completely dry and beautifully balanced, this is a wine that will easily improve over the next five years."The Wine Enthusiast

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