Beringer’s Napa Valley Merlot is a vibrant expression of this beautiful varietal and the depth and complexity of flavor it can exhibit when grown in the right place. Winemaker Laurie Hook selects vineyards and blocks from Avas up and down the valley to craft a wine that is the quintessential expression of Napa Valley terroir.
VINTAGE & VINEYARDS
The Beringer Founders’ Estate Merlot is approachable and delicious. Hints of plum and brown spice on the nose compliment the boysenberry, blackberry and blueberry finish on the palate. It’s well-balanced, soft tannins make this wine a perfect accompaniment to a variety of foods, such as grilled meats or hearty vegetable dishes. The majority of this wine was made from grapes grown on Beringer’s Gamble Ranch in Yountville, a relatively cool vineyard which produces Merlot of exceptional character and quality. Laurie also chose lots from several other vineyards, including Bancroft Ranch, one of our reserve vineyards in the Howell Mountain AVA. The grapes were harvested over a three week period from September 30 to October 21.
WINEMAKING
Kept in separate small lots until the final blending, the grapes for our Merlot were picked, quickly brought to the winery and placed in small stainless steel tanks for a 2-day cold soak designed to extract color and flavor from the grapes. The juice was then fermented dry and the young wine was placed in small French oak barrels (20% new) for fourteen months. The final blend includes 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon for added color, richness and structure on the palate.
