Harvest of 2017 was unusually early for us, so the wildfires that ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties that year, happened while our wines were already in tank or barrel. We were thankfully spared from the flames and any smoke damage to our fruit.
This perfectly ripened September-harvest 100% Merlot, from one of my favorite vineyards in the Napa Valley, is deep and dark in color with black currant, ripe blackberry aromas with a hint of vanilla and mocha.
Very round and rich on the palate, the flavors and textures are mouth-coating with generous and very fine tannins. The berry and mocha flavors persist in an amazingly long, ripe, and vibrant finish that lasts for minutes. This is a Merlot for Cabernet lovers.
I produced my first commercial Merlot in the 1976 vintage when it was about as well-known as Charbono is today. After several years of trying to convince folks to give it a try, its popularity grew and eventually snowballed.
Of course, Bordeaux producers have worked with this grape variety for many years and it is the noble variety of the Cabernet family on the right bank of that region. Like its Cabernet cousin, Merlot’s response to well-drained soils is profound expression and firm structure in the wines grown there.
