The 2021 vintage was a near-perfect growing season with cool weather through July into early August. We then saw ideal warm weather conditions until the last fruit was resting safely under the watchful eyes of winemaking teams all over the Valley. Harvest of our 2021 Merlot took place on October 18 & 19 with the long ripening season contributing to the development of beautiful fruit flavors. Small berry and cluster size combined with the long ripening season contributing to the development of dense, rich, beautiful Merlot of exceptional quality and character.

To naturally soften tannins and enhance varietal complexity, Tony allowed the grapes to undergo extended maceration. He then pressed the wine and transferred it to French oak barrels (45% new oak) to undergo a long malolactic fermentation for roundness and depth. Using Syrah and Zinfandel as blenders, adds a dark velvety feel to the lush berry flavor profile of the Merlot. Dense black fruit aromas are followed by boysenberry and chocolate flavors, and supple tannins on the palate.

To create Oberon Merlot, Tony sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district. The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and warm afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Tony sources Syrah and Zinfandel in small lots specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Alcohol: 13.9%
TA: 6.0g/L
pH: 3.61

To naturally soften tannins and enhance varietal complexity, Tony allowed the grapes to undergo extended maceration.  He then pressed the wine and transferred it to French oak barrels (45% new oak) to undergo a long malolactic fermentation for roundness and depth.  Using Syrah and Zinfandel as blenders, adds a dark velvety feel to the lush berry flavor profile of the Merlot.  Dense black fruit aromas are followed by blueberry and chocolate flavors, and supple tannins on the palate.

To create Oberon Merlot, Tony sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district.  The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and warm afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Tony sources Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and Zinfandel from Middletown specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Alcohol: 13.7%

The 2019 vintage was a near-perfect growing season with cool weather through July into early August.  We then saw ideal warm weather conditions until the last fruit was resting safely under the watchful eyes of winemaking teams all over the Valley.  Harvest of our 2019 Merlot began in October and continued through the first week of November, with the long ripening season contributing to the development of beautiful fruit flavors.

To naturally soften tannins and enhance varietal complexity, Tony allowed the grapes to undergo extended maceration.  He then pressed the wine and transferred it to French oak barrels (45% new oak) to undergo a long malolactic fermentation for roundness and depth.  Using Syrah and Zinfandel as blenders, adds a dark velvety feel to the lush berry flavor profile of the Merlot.  Dense black fruit aromas are followed by blueberry and chocolate flavors, and supple tannins on the palate.

To create Oberon Merlot, Tony sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district.  The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and warm afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Tony sources Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and Zinfandel from Middletown specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Blend: 89.4% Merlot, 8.6% Syrah, 2% Zinfandel Alcohol 13.9% TA 6.3 g/L pH 3.56

The 2018 vintage was a wonderful reminder of just how special and ideal a Harvest in Napa Valley can be.  The near-perfect growing season started later than previous years and saw ideal weather conditions until the last fruit was resting safely under the watchful eyes of winemaking teams all over the Valley.  The challenging heat and drizzly summer days of the 2017 growing season became just a memory as the beautifully set clusters of 2018 fruit ripened evenly in the cool mornings and warm afternoons.

To naturally soften tannins and enhance varietal complexity, Tony allowed the grapes to undergo extended maceration. He then pressed the wine and transferred it to French oak barrels (45% new oak) to undergo a long malolactic fermentation for roundness and depth. Using Syrah and Zinfandel as blenders, adds a dark velvety feel to the lush berry flavor profile of the Merlot. Dense black fruit aromas are followed by blueberry and chocolate flavors, and supple tannins on the palate.

To create Oberon Merlot, Tony sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district.  The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and warm afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Tony sources Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and Zinfandel from Middletown specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Blend: 89.4% Merlot, 8.6% Syrah, 2% Zinfandel Alcohol 13.9% TA 6.2 g/L pH 3.76

From record-breaking heat to drizzly summer days, the 2017 growing season was challenging for winemakers. Throughout the valley, temperatures soared well over 100 degrees for multiple days in late August and early September. This, coupled with temperatures in the 90’s and hot winds in early October caused a flurry of activity in the vineyards and wineries. The 2017 Vintage saw us harvest our Merlot vineyard in early October, and our Syrah and Zinfandel blenders mid to late September. We count ourselves very lucky to have safely harvested our fruit well beyond affected fire areas.

To naturally soften tannins and enhance varietal complexity, Tony allowed the grapes to undergo extended maceration. He then pressed the wine and transferred it to French oak barrels (45% new oak) to undergo a long malolactic fermentation for roundness and depth. Using Syrah and Zinfandel as blenders, adds a dark velvety feel to the lush berry flavor profile of the Merlot. Dense black fruit aromas are followed by blueberry and chocolate flavors, and supple tannins on the palate.

To create Oberon Merlot, Tony sourced grapes from Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district. The deeper alluvial soils along with the perfect balance of cool mornings and warm afternoons make this are the perfect location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Tony sources Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and Zinfandel from Middletown specifically for this blend as they marry beautifully with this Merlot and bring out the rich character of this delicious expressive Oakville fruit.

Blend: 87.7% Merlot, 10.9% Syrah, 1.4% Zinfandel Alcohol 13.9% TA 6.2 g/L pH 3.76