2002
Paul Hobbs Merlot, Michael Black Vineyard Napa Valley
Winemaker's Notes
This full-bodied "cab-lover's merlot" has lots of lavender and perfume on the nose, and a gorgeous, mouth-filling palate of black cherry, baker's cocoa and smoky tobacco with a long finish of cedar and Christmas spice. Alcohol 14.8%
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Michael Black
Vineyard
Michael Black Vineyard
Appellation
Napa Valley
Clones
Curtiss
Vineyard Age
14 years
Site
In the Coombsville area east of the town of Napa. A southeast exposure on a hillside with rocky, volcanic soils.
Yield
2.75 tons/acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
September 27 & October 11
Harvest Brix
25.5° & 26.7°
Growing Season
Following veraison, conditions were ideal throughout a long growing season. Warm days and cool nights produced a balanced crop with lighter than average yields, allowing for maximum development of flavors, complexity and color in the grapes. Marked by massive tannins and balanced acidity, this vintage will likely produce some of the best wines of the decade.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes
Fermented in closed-top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
5-day cold soak, 23 days total maceration
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aged 20 months in oak barrels (90% French, 10% American); 60% new
Unblended, Unfined and unfiltered; bottled June 2004
