Merlot

2002

Napa Valley

RCF Merlot

Over the past 15 years, the RCF Vineyard (namesake of Robert Charles Fisher) has proven capable of producing blockbuster Merlot with chocolate and black-cherry aromas and flavors. Planted in a 6-acre block of sandy, cobbly soil on our Napa Estate, the Merlot vines are original Three Palms clone and the Cabernet Franc vines, Diamond Mountain clone. The style is rich, chewy and sumptuous... truly a Merlot for Cabernet lovers (read more about the vineyard).

In 2002 we experienced yields of less than 1-ton per acre, producing ripe and flavorful berries with thick skins that generated wine of the highest concentration (95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc).

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red color with aromas of dark cocoa, raspberry, cherry and mint. Chewy on the mid-palate with flavors of sweet cherry and spice, culminating with tongue-dusting tannins that linger, begging another taste.

Production Notes

Whole-berry fermented in small open-top fermenters
Indigenous yeast fermentation, with extended maceration
Malolactic fermentation in barrel
Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels

Alcohol by volume 15.5%
pH 3.60
Bottle date of June 28, 2004
350 cases produced

Vintages Produced