St. Clement Napa Valley Merlot 2005 - Two Bottles

2005 Merlot, Napa Valley

Vineyard Notes:
The 2005 growing season was an incredibly long one in the Napa Valley, with harvest being nearly four weeks later than last year for some vineyards. The season started with a late bud break, and cool temperatures prevailed throughout the year and into the beginning of September. Thankfully, fall brought perfect weather and abundant sunshine allowing for full flavor development and ripe tannins. The majority of this Merlot is grown in Carneros, located at the southern tip of the valley close to the San Pablo Bay. Cooling fogs from the bay ensure even ripening and balanced acidity.

Winemaker's Comments:
This wine offers rich aromas of black cherry, bramble, currant and dark chocolate. The palate has a dense, concentrated core with notes of cranberry, bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoky oak. The grapes for this Merlot were hand harvested and fermented in a combination of open and closed top fermenters to maximize concentration and extraction in the final blend. The addition of 7 percent Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and complexity. Each lot was aged separately in 100 percent French oak (40 percent new) for 19 months before blending.

Varietal Content:
93% Merlot
7% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest:
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 25-30, 2005

Release:
Bottling Completed: September 2007
Release Date: February 2008
Case Production: 3,983 cases