Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain Merlot 2018

Grape Varietals & Region: 88% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.5% Petit Verdot from the Spring Mountain District Estate in Napa Valley

Taste Profile: The 2018 Spring Mountain Merlot is a very bright and fruit driven wine. The nose is bursting with black cherries and blueberry pie as well as cinnamon toast and caramel. There is some pleasant underpinning eucalyptus and gravel minerality. As always with this wine the mouth is full and rich. The tannins are present but soft as the lush viscosity coats them. The acidity is present but softer than previous years. There is a wonderful chocolate and cherry finish.

Winemaking Process:The Merlot spent an average of 20 days on its skins, much longer than average due to the extended hang time loosening the skins. Aged 22 months in French Oak barrels, of which 65% are new.