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2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot
Harvest Notes
The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring; annual rainfall totals were well above average. We had an ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months—into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of 1997, where we had an abundant harvest of remarkable quality.
Our Napa Valley Merlot is blended to offer the complexity and balance of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the whole Napa Valley appellation. This wine is medium-bodied and balanced with a smooth entry, integrated soft tannins, and a long finish. The aroma is lifted with raspberry, red currant, blueberry, cherry cola, and delicate spice. The flavors are polished with blackberry, plum, black cherry, toast, and a hint of herb.
Varietal Content
86% Merlot
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
3% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 14 — November 1, 2005
Average Sugar at Harvest: 26.8? Brix
48 Vineyards Harvested
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 16 Months
Age of Barrels: 40% new, 60% second vintage
Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.59 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80?F
pH: 3.37
Bottled: April 2007
Released: September 2007
Harvest Notes
The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring; annual rainfall totals were well above average. We had an ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months—into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of 1997, where we had an abundant harvest of remarkable quality.
Our Napa Valley Merlot is blended to offer the complexity and balance of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the whole Napa Valley appellation. This wine is medium-bodied and balanced with a smooth entry, integrated soft tannins, and a long finish. The aroma is lifted with raspberry, red currant, blueberry, cherry cola, and delicate spice. The flavors are polished with blackberry, plum, black cherry, toast, and a hint of herb.
Varietal Content
86% Merlot
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
3% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 14 — November 1, 2005
Average Sugar at Harvest: 26.8? Brix
48 Vineyards Harvested
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 16 Months
Age of Barrels: 40% new, 60% second vintage
Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.59 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80?F
pH: 3.37
Bottled: April 2007
Released: September 2007