Hestan Vineyards Stephanie Merlot 2017
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Winemaker Notes
Notes of Santa Rosa plum and black cherry (almost like a cherry pie) along with cassis, black currants, sweet complex vanilla oak and dried sweet tobacco with brown spice (cinnamon/clove). The wine on the palate is complex, with long and elegant fine dry tannins that will help this wine age nicely. Notes of Leather, tobacco and soy highlight a dusty texture of brooding black fruit.
Blend: 76% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc
Other Vintages
2015-
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As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.