St. Clement Abbott's Vineyard Estate Merlot 2003

St. Clement Abbott's Vineyard Estate Merlot 2003
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
> Winery: St. Clement Vineyards
Variety: Merlot

Had at winery during Pops and Son 3rd Annual Wine Trip in Napa, 12/28/07.
CELLAR NOTES

Located in the cool growing region of Carneros, Abbott’s Vineyard has proven to have the consistency and quality needed year after year to produce a single vineyard wine. Using clone 3 on a combination of 5BB and 110R rootstock, owner Abbott Williams chose a wind and frost protected gentle slope for this planting of Merlot. A warm and early growing season make 2004 an excellent year for Merlot.

Classic winemaking techniques were employed for this wine. The fruit was hand harvested and immediately crushed into small closed top tanks. The juice was in contact with the skins for 20 days and then gently pressed at the completion of fermentation. The wine was aged in 75% new French oak barrels for 18 months.

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS

In the nose there are concentrated aromas of red cherry, green apple, black pepper, fresh cut green beans, rose petals, clove and vanilla. The palate is filled with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, red delicious apple, boysenberry jam, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon. This full bodied wine has integrated tannin and structure that will give it longevity in the bottle.

VARIETAL CONTENT

100% Merlot
Harvest
Appellation: Carneros
Harvest Dates: September 23rd, 2004

Release
Bottling Completed: June 2006
Case Production: 359 cases

Logged by drxeno on January 2nd, 2008 at 12:17pm. Rating: 4 | report note