2016 Merryvale Malbec Napa Valley

Winemaking

Sourced from Stagecoach Vineyard, a high elevation vineyard on Atlas Peak in Napa Valley, the fruit for this Malbec was destemmed and gravity fed into tanks. All lots were fermented with native yeasts and malolactic fermentation was done in barrels. The wine was aged for 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels and racked three times during aging.

Tasting Notes

Malbec does very well in the rocky soils of Atlas Peak, developing great complexity and depth. This wine is 100% Malbec and was bottled unfined. The nose opens with notes of violets, blackberry and dark chocolate. The entry on the palate is broad and fresh and evolves with the typical mountain character and rich tannins we expect from a higher elevation vineyard. There is plenty of power in this wine, yet tremendous elegance.