Merlot, 2017. Grgich Hills Estate

This exquisite Merlot opens with plum, rose hip, blood orange, fresh peach and cherry in the nose, with undertones of laurel and dried orange peel. Flavors of juicy red fruit explode on the palate, and an uplifting freshness carries the mid-palate with complex and dense tannins, plenty of fruit and a soft transition to a lush, lingering aftertaste. Well-balanced acidity and a silky tannin structure on this young wine leaves plenty of room for many years of aging.

"We had high rain fall at the beginning of the season, a mild winter, and then we finally transitioned into a beautiful spring. There was an early bud break and flowering, followed by sunny days and high temperatures through June and August.

Our Merlot grows both in our cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and in our warmer Yountville vineyard. We blended Merlot from all three vineyards to create a balanced, robust wine that combines the richness and depth from the warmer climates and perfume and bright fruitiness from the cooler climates. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, we farm our five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic. The blend is 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon."

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