With excellent harvest conditions and an overall perfect growing season, 2002 is widely viewed as a great vintage in Napa Valley. This is the first Merlot bottling from our Crossroad Vineyard in the Yountville appellation. June was mild, a short heat wave in July, followed by temperatures in the mid 80’s to 90’s. Fairly leisurely ripening period through September allowing for excellent flavor development. The lot was harvested in late September 2002.
Our winemaker, Celia Welch Masyczek believes that making great wine is at least 80% in the vineyard—a great vineyard site and impeccable vineyard management determine flavor, depth, and maturity. Celia determines the picking date more by taste than analysis. The farming regimen in the Merlot block of our vineyard included extensive cluster-thinning in 2002 to reduce the vines’ yield and intensify color and flavor in the berries. Additionally, the cooling breezes from the San Pablo Bay that reach Yountville on most afternoons helped the fruit to ripen evenly. The lot was harvested in September of 2002 and fermented on skins for two and a half weeks, then gently pressed and put into French Oak barrels (50% new) and aged for 19 months. The Merlot was blended with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon which also came from the Rocca Yountville Crossroad vineyard.
This 2002 vintage gives way to aromas of deep spice, anise and bright cherry, along with sweet tarragon, sage, pipe tobacco and toasty vanilla. On the palate, entry is very soft, with bright juicy raspberry and anise flavors, and a fruit impression that is very ripe, warm, broad and juicy. This Merlot has a full-bodied finish, soft tannins and lingering fruit flavors.