2018 MERLOT, Napa Valley
Our 2018 Merlot Napa Valley is a flavorful medium-bodied red wine with excellent depth and balance. Highlighted by notes of black cherry, cedar, and dark chocolate, with well-integrated tannins and an elegant, lingering finish.
Mix and Match your purchase.
10% CASE (12 btl.) DISCOUNT APPLIED AT CHECKOUT.
ACCOLADES
- A silky first impression leads to luscious red and black cherries, blueberries, cinnamon and vanilla in this full-bodied wine. It offers great concentration and pleasure without heavy tannins. — Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, (92 Points)
- "Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2018 ($46): Dario Sattui's "other project" at the northern end of Napa Valley seems to have a strategy of building their wines for both early approachability and cellaring potential. The winemaking team led by Peter Velleno and Brooks Painter continues to adhere to that strategy, often releasing their non-Pinot Noir red wines well after their neighbors. This 2018 Merlot is richly styled, with deep, ripe blackberry and black cherry on a structured backbone of tanins and acidity. Even though it has been a few years under its belt already, it needs a little more time to fully integrate and it's got a long life ahead. Contains 1% Cabernet Sauvignon." Wine Review Online, Rich Cook (91 Points)
Find out more about Merlot in our Blog:
♦ Merlot - A Sideways Glance (Part 1)
♦ Merlot - A Sideways Glance (Part 2)
Featured Recipes:
♦ Flat Iron Steak with Cocoa Nibs & Coffee Rub
♦ Merlot Beef with Broccoli
♦ Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions
*New Release*
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Harvest Date
October 19, 2018
Acid
6.2 g/L
pH
3.63
Aging
18 months in Bordeaux French oak, 45% New Oak
Fermentation
Malolactic Fermentation
Bottling Date
May 23, 2020
Residual Sugar
DRY
Alcohol %
14.9
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
Merlot fruit sourced from select vineyards throughout Napa Valley, including our own estate vineyard surrounding the Castello in the foothills of the Diamond Mountain District.
Production Notes
February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near– ideal conditions for our winemakers to allow their fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.
Winemaker Notes
Winter provided a record-breaking rainfall - a welcome end to the 4-years of drought. Bloom and fruit set in May occurred under ideal conditions. Summer was warm but the vines weathered the heat well and maturity moved along at a steady pace. A short but intense heat wave during the first part of September brought brix levels up dramatically and winemakers waited for the pH, acids, flavor and color development in the grapes to catch up to sugar accumulation. The 2018 wine quality shows a lot of bright acidity and fresh varietal aromas in the white wines, and deep color, sweet fruit flavors. Looking like it will be another classic year! - Brooks Painter, Director of Winemaking
Food Pairing Notes
Excellent companion to most meat based dishes, especially roast lamb and duck. Also pairs well with flavorful cheeses such as brie, sharp cheddar, and aged Gouda.
