1994 Groth Merlot from Groth, Napa Valley. 

Vintage: "Long" and "cool" are the two words that best describe the 1994 vintage. The cool temperatures of early spring continued throughout the vintage into the Summer and the Fall resulting in long hand times for all varieties. The extra vine time at cooler temperatures allowed the grapes to develop fullness, ripeness and intense varietal character without becoming overripe. The grapes attained a wonderful level of maturity resulting in nearly perfect sugar/acid balances for all varieties. Overall the 1994 harvest appears to be an exceptional vintage.