Darioush Signature Merlot 2018 Napa Valley

Cases Made: 2,800

Winemaker: Hope Goldie

Tasting Notes: A nod to the long, even-keeled growing season on our high-elevation Sage Vineyard atop Mount Veeder, 2018 Signature Merlot displays the concentration and finesse of a classic mountain-grown Merlot.  Aromatically complex with licorice, violets, dusty cocoa, and fine leather, the flavors move from dense black cherry and currant fruits, refreshed with a blood orange-like acidity to savory herb, forest, and bergamot notes. The wine finishes powerful and polished, with rich plummy fruit and freshly baked pie crust, and will develop further complexity with aging.

Vinification: Meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard and minimal cellar handling. Hand-harvested and sorted twice, before and after de-stemming. Fermentation includes cold soaking for 4 days in
traditional fermenters with gentle pump-overs for optimal color extraction and tannin management.

Aging Regime: 20 months 70% new Chateau Traditional French oak. Barrel lots were racked 2-3
times per year for clarity.