2023 Merlot
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Notes
Eye
Deep garnet core, vivid fuscia rim.Nose
Concentrated and decadent with notes of boysenberry syrup over hotcakes, blackberry pie, spun sugar, and baking spices, underpinned by subtle cedar.Palate
Medium-plus body, plush and layered. Ripe dark fruit, vibrant yet smooth acidity. Velvety tannins support a long, mouth-coating finish punctuated by whispers of spice and wood.Cellar life
Drink now through 2037. -
Background
Merlot entered our Brown Estate wine lineup as a one-off for the 2018 vintage when we had surplus fruit on hand from our 2018 Chaos Theory production for which it originally was sourced. For 2019, Chaos Theory left no Merlot behind… and thereafter we entered the maelstrom production cycle of 2020 which ultimately led to a Lot 2 bottling of 2019 Chaos Theory (different varietals, no Merlot) + a commemorative bottling of 2020 Chaos Theory (also no Merlot) as homage to our resilience in the face of tremendous challenges during that most chaotic year. Merlot resurfaced for 2021 from a new grower, once again sourced for Chaos Theory — however when we began tasting it from barrel, it inspired a standalone bottling. The present 2023 vintage is our third consecutive Merlot bottling, and vintage no. 4 in the grand scheme.
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Deets
- Composition
100% Merlot - Vineyard Source
Madrigal Vineyards
Cooke Vineyards - Appellation
Napa Valley - Barrel aging
8 months in 30% new French oak - Alcohol by vol.
14.8%
- Composition
