Merlot
Current Release
- Vintage: 2004
- Appellation: Napa Valley
- Composition: 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
- Bottle sizes: 750 ml, 1.5 L magnum, 3 L double magnum, 6 L imperial
- Release Date: October 1, 2007
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Our 2004 Twomey Merlot is an elegant, concentrated wine that balances delicacy and expression of fruit. It has a dark ruby color and a complex nose of black cherry, raspberry, violets and dark chocolate, with hints of lightly toasted bread. It offers multiple layers of cherry liqueur, toffee, chocolate and amaretto flavors, culminating in a long fruity finish. Given proper cellaring, this full-bodied Merlot will continue to give drinking pleasure until 2016.
Vintage Description
The 2004 growing season started out as one of the earliest on record. Warm weather in February induced early budbreak and vine growth; bloom and veraison also took place three weeks earlier than usual. Foggy conditions in late summer slowed ripening, which lengthened the growing season and allowed the fruit to attain full maturity.
Blending and Aging
The wine was aged for 13 months in 65% new and 35% once-used French oak barrels with thin staves that allow gentle aeration.
