Emmolo Merlot, Napa Valley

Nose: Cocktail cherries and sweet spice, with notes of savory bread, newly oiled leather and pronounced French oak.

Palate: Smooth upon entry, with a richness that builds. Flavors of cherry, spice and savory bread carry over from the nose, with lush plums and a hint of jerky. Dusty, powdery tannins lend softness. French oak character comes through on the nose, palate and lingering finish.

Style differentiator: Longer “hang time” pushes grapes to full ripeness. The result is a wonderfully rich, earthy, dark and well-balanced Merlot.

Farming notes: Sourced in Napa Valley. Techniques like crop thinning throughout the growing season allow for smaller yields resulting in a wine that’s more intensely concentrated.