Emmolo Merlot Napa Valley Wine 2021

This wine is sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley, including land that has been in the family of Jenny Wagner’s maternal relatives (the Emmolos) for generations. We seek out areas with light gravelly soil and ideal growing conditions that enable longer “hang time” for the grapes to achieve full ripeness. We also utilize techniques like crop thinning to produce an elegant, distinctive Merlot. This wine has expansive, dark berry flavors, a fresh earthiness and smooth, leathery tannins.

TASTING NOTES

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.