William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

2006 Napa Valley Merlot

Wine Tasting Notes

Our 2006 Napa Valley Merlot reveals a combination of red berry fruit aromas of plum, red cherry, raspberry, mocha, and spice. The intense aromas continue on the palate along with hints of chocolate and blueberry that meld into a plush, velvety finish.

Viticulture Notes

The Napa Valley Viticultural Area is renowned for its long growing season marked by sunny, warm and dry days and followed by cool evenings. These growing conditions are ideal for allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. Despite inclement weather conditions, the 2006 harvest was marked as an exceptional vintage. Winter began with extreme rainfall causing flooding in much of Napa Valley. The rain continued into early spring and the cool, wet weather delayed bud break by a few weeks. However, the sun came out in early June allowing the vines to bloom and set fruit. A 10 day streak of record heat in July helped catch the vines up to a "normal" place in the growing season. The return of cooler weather in fall allowed for moderately paced and deliberate ripening which was ideal for developing premium grapes with good complexity, acid and flavor.

Winemaking

Extractive fermentation to maximize ripe tannins was followed by extended post-fermentation maceration, to enhance the finesse of the young wine lots.  Following pressing, malolactic fermentation was completed in tank, after which the young wines were racked to barrels for maturation.  The Merlot aged for 12 months primarily in French oak; of which 20% was new.

Winemaker notes

This bottle offers a joyous expression of Merlot.  The aromas are a combination of ripe black cherry, red berries and licorice accented by smoky, spicy oak.  The flavors are open, bright red fruit in the mouth, with soft tannins and a long, supple finish.