2003 Napa Valley Merlot

The 2003 vintage is Teatown Cellars second vintage of Napa Valley Merlot that has been sourced entirely from Kenifick Ranch. Located just below Calistoga running to the east from the Silverado Trail back into the foothills, Kenifick Ranch has 120 + acres planted to vines. Tom Kenefick sells to a Who’s Who of Napa ‘A List’ producers.

For the 2003 vintage I purchased 20 tons of fruit which was harvest on September 10, 2003 with good physiological maturity. The fruit was custom crushed at Kirkland Ranch. The fermented juice was moved to the Greenfield Wine Company (AKA Cartlidge and Brown) production facility in American Canyon in early October and barreled down.

The 2003 Napa Valley Merlot has been aged in a mix of new, one and two year old, as well as neutral, Oak barrels. While we have used primarily center-of- France Oak Barrels in the past, Gerry Rowland, Teatown Cellars winemaker has been mixing in Demptos 36 month air dried American Oak barrels, Demptos 36 month air dried Hungarian Oak barrels and center-of France Oak innerstaved barrels. Because we don’t over oak this wine we have been carefully adding different barrels to introduce an array of subtle oak characteristics to this bottling of Merlot.

As I noted in the 2002 vintage, the fruit from Kenifick Ranch is fairly substantial and can handle and also requires more time in oak. Gerry and I strive for balance; we want to smell and taste fruit primarily, well-integrated oak secondarily. The Merlot harvested from Kenefick Ranch delivers plenty of fruit. In mid November of 2003 after 13 months in oak all of the Merlot was racked to tank to marry before bottling in early December. 1,324 cases produced.

The 2003 Merlot is a dark, plum red. Bright and intense black fruits and spices (garrigue) on the nose. On the palate intense black fruits with balanced oak followed by soft tannins and good acidity. A long, ripe, lush Merlot finish of black fruits, soft tannins and oak. Drink now and over the next 3-5 years. What was Miles saying about Merlot?

All Teatown Cellars Merlot is bottled with “Grade ‘A’ Twin-Top Composite Corks” (who’s ready for Stellvins?) with very good results. I am glad to be able to reiterate that “corked” bottles are still a very rare event, still virtually nonexistent. Enjoy!

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