Only three barrels were bottled of this mountain Merlot, grown in a small single-vineyard block adjacent to our winery production facility at the 2000’ elevation atop Howell Mountain. The volcanic terroir and high elevation exposure really concentrate the fruit, producing extremely dark color, almost Cabernet-like intensity. Thoroughly ripe red and black currant flavors are framed by gently gripping tannins. The finish is long, expressive, and velvety.
"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.
My first experience with Merlot grown on Howell Mountain was in the 1980s and I was astounded by the expression of Merlot grown in this Viticultural Area. In 2006 we planted Clone 3 Merlot from cuttings at the Paloma Vineyard on Spring Mountain whose wines I produced during their first eight vintages beginning in 1994. I felt these were some of the best Merlot bottlings I have had the pleasure to craft in the 44 vintages I have worked with this grape variety and I was thrilled to bring this pedigree clone to our Howell Mountain Vineyard.
A portion of production from this small lot is blended into our Napa Valley Merlot, but we set aside some from each vintage to be bottled separately as a 100% Howell Mountain Merlot in order to share the experience"
–Bob Foley
