March 2007 Limited Release Discovery:
Two Latitudes
MERLOT
Napa Valley ~ Walla Walla
38° N 46° N
Merlot is another grape variety associated with France. It has long been an official component of Bordeaux blends. Its current popularity has been driven by its success in North America where it is most often sold as a single grape varietal.
In North America, 2 regions stand above all others for producing outstanding Merlot – Napa and Walla Walla Valleys. Both, like Bordeaux, are influenced by an ocean, but they are 8 degrees of latitude, or 900km. apart and have markedly different climatic and soil conditions. These differences create 2 unique, but individually stunning wine profiles.
-In the last 2 years, Wine & Spirits Magazine listed 22 best American Merlots of the year. 13 of these came from Napa and 6 from Walla Walla. The other 3 came from Red Mountain and other regions of Washington.
-Wine Spectator Magazine lists 9 Merlots from Napa and 5 from Walla Walla in its all-time top 20 American Merlots.
Napa Merlot is noted for its black cherry flavours with cherry blossom and rose petal aromas backed by chalky, mineral tones.
Walla Walla Merlot also shows cherry notes, but is more Bordeaux-like with earthy spice, soya-like savor and hints of mint and cedar.
Cellar Craft’s Two Latitudes Merlot marries juice from these two great regions, ferments it on a Crushed Grape Pack from virgin Walla Walla Merlot and uses an exclusive 2-stage oaking process, with both American and Hungarian oaks. The resultant wine uniquely captures the best attributes of the best Merlot styles in North America. Wine like this may never again be available from any source – don’t miss out!
