2018 Winemaker Series Merlot

ABOUT WINEMAKER SERIES MERLOT

Crafted especially for our wine club members, the Winemaker Series allows us to select interesting lots and to create unique blends. This is like taking a walk through the vineyard, experiencing the unique characteristics that define Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ world-class vineyards. These wines often spend more time in barrel and offer a great juxtaposition to our classic Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offerings. 

VINEYARDS AND WINEMAKING 

This wine is 82% Merlot  and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot is from Atlas Peak and Twin Creeks in the Wooden Valley while the Cabernet Sauvignon is from Johnson Vineyard in Calistoga. The wine was aged 19 months in 65% new French oak and 35% older French oak barrels. 

VINTAGE 

The 2018 season began with productive, late season rains that translated into strong vine growth throughout the spring. Cool temperatures in late spring resulted in an extended bloom period and very good fruit-set. Except for a hot July, the summer was beautiful with temperatures neither too hot nor too cool – a true Goldilocks zone. Cool temperatures returned in September that slowed ripening and extended hang-time, resulting in very even ripening with great flavors at lower sugar levels. We completed the harvest for our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay – and began picking our red grapes – a good month later than in 2017 (and two weeks later than normal). Overall, this was a year of exceptional fruit quality producing wines with expressive fruit character.  

TASTING NOTES

This Merlot has expressive cherry and boysenberry aromas with a touch of brown sugar and a pleasing floral note. The mouthfeel is silky and soft with lingering flavors of cherries jubilee and blackberry.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Enjoy with roasted chicken with sautéed wild mushrooms or herb-crusted pork chops.