"The 2001 vintage of Merlot is a broad, mouth-filling, full-bodied wine. Flavors of red currant, chocolate, earth and spice dominate the chewy palate." – Erin Green, Winemaker September 2003
Composition
98% Merlot
2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Critics
95 Points
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #195, June 2011
This Merlot should convert all the doubters of this varietal in Napa Valley, as it is consistently one of the top two or three Merlots made in California. At ten years of age, the 2001 confirms what an extraordinary Merlot producer he is. It transcends the category and puts to shame most of the Merlots that emerge from the Golden State. A dense plum/purple color is accompanied by a beautifully sweet nose of melted chocolate, creme de cassis, cherry pie, earth and spice. It possesses a voluptuous texture, brilliant purity and equilibrium, and a chewy, succulent finish. This sexy, complex, full-bodied 2001 Merlot is just hitting full maturity where it should remain for another 10-15+ years, 2011-2026. Bravo!
93 Points
James Laube, Wine Spectator, May 2004
A magnificent wine, deliciously rich and concentrated, with layers of complex black cherry, berry, currant, herb, mocha and spice, with pretty oak shadings and a smooth, supple texture and remarkably elegant lift on the finish.
91 Points
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #150, December 2003
The 2001 Merlot is a broad, expansive, sweet offering with ripe fruit, a full-bodied, chewy mid-palate, and copious quantities of chocolate, red and black currants, and earth.
91 Points
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2004
Full ruby. Superripe aromas of currant and chocolate liqueur, with a whiff of roasted meat. Huge, lush and gamey, with complex flavors of cassis, minerals, mulch, smoke and sweet herbs. Finishes with big, sweet tannins. A large-scaled wine that's more than simply a fruit bomb.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Erin Green
- Alcohol:
- 14.9%
- Harvested:
- September 4 to August 6, 2001
- Bottled:
- May 7, 2003
- Released:
- February 1, 2004
The grapes were given a four-day cold soak before fermentation, fermented on their own natural yeast, and aged eighteen months in 100% new French Taransaud barrels. The wine was bottled with neither fining nor filtration.
