ORIGIN: Named after one of our narrow-spaced estate vineyards in Napa Valley's Oakville appellation, this Bordeaux blend of Merlot (82%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Malbec (7%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) is layered with berry, cherry and tobacco flavors and possesses an intense nose of briary, cherry fruit.
VINEYARD: The vineyards are densely planted to as many as 2,100 vines per acre. Dense planting results 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, and clone #3 from U.C. Davis. Fruit was hand harvested in mid September 1999 from our estate vineyards in Oakville, Carneros, Rutherford and The Stags Leap District.
WINEMAKING: The wine underwent an extended maceration period of 14-24 days to develop supple tannins. After aging for more than 16 months in heavily toasted, chateau-style French oak barrels, primarily coopered by Sylvain of Libourne, the wine was bottled without fining in May 2001.
ORIGINAL TASTING NOTES: This elegant, 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: The 1999 Crimson Creek Merlot is an earthy, spicy wine with good red berry and cherry fruity aromas and flavors. It is very well-balanced in body, tannin and finish. Drink now through 2010.
FOOD PAIRING: Duck & Oyster Mushroom Roulade
CHEESE PAIRING: Petit Agour
The vintage produced 14,000 (750ml) cases, 2,000 (375ml) cases and 100 (3 liter) formats
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