ORIGIN: Named after one of our narrow-spaced estate vineyards in Napa Valley’s Oakville appellation, Crimson Creek Merlot is an elegant wine with an intense nose of briary, cherry fruit. As a Bordeaux blend of Merlot (79%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Malbec (3%) from our vineyards in Carneros, Stags Leap District, and Oakville, you’ll find Crimson Creek layered with flavors.
VINEYARD: The vineyards are densely planted to as many as 2,100 vines per acre resulting in stress on the vines which enhances flavor concentration and complexity in the grapes. The Merlot portion is a blend of three clones: 181 and P89 selected directly from France, with the third clone from U.C. Davis. Fruit was hand harvested in mid September 1996.
WINEMAKING: The wine underwent an extended maceration period of two weeks to develop supple tannins. After aging for more than 16 months in heavily toasted, château-style French oak barrels, primarily coopered by Sylvain of Libourne, the wine was bottled in June 1998.
ORIGINAL TASTING NOTES: This medium dark ruby Merlot wraps black cherry fruit flavors with underlying hints of blueberry and vanilla in light earthy notes of tobacco and sweet cocoa. A supple medium-to-long finish makes this an enjoyable wine now or you may choose to cellar five to eight years.
CURRENT TASTING NOTES: We recommend cellaring Pine Ridge Merlots 8-10 years. Not surprisingly, this vintage is showing its age. Even so, the wine continues to exude good varietal berry and cherry aromas with earthy olive overtones in the mid-body. Drink now.
FOOD PAIRING: Baked Polenta with Summer Vegetables and Heirloom Tomato Sauce
CHEESE PAIRING: Petit Basque
The vintage produced 10,500 (750ml) cases, 1,500 (375ml) cases and 60 (3 liter) formats.
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