The 2019 Spring Mountain Merlot is much darker than previous years. The nose is very complex with loads of black plum and cinnamon spice. There is also aromatics of caramel, gravel and menthol that surround all the intense dark fruit. As always with this wine the mouth is full and rich, with a very pretty silkiness this year. The tannins are present, slightly chalky but soft with a good level of acidity to balance them. There is a good level of cedar and plum to the long finish. This intensely concentrated Merlot will reward those who cellar it over the next 9-10 years (2030 - 2031)
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Merlot gives up seductive scents of plum pudding, fruitcake and boysenberries with touches of chocolate mint and star anise. Full-bodied, rich, soft and plush, it has lots of spicy nuances and a long, fragrant finish."
Fiona and Hal Barnett purchased a 40-acre property located atop Spring Mountain in 1983. After extensive work the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted the following year. Since the very beginning, the intent was to produce small amounts of hand crafted wines that would showcase the unique characteristics found in grapes cultivated on such challenging, high elevation terrain. Over the next five years the vines developed and the estate was established.
Barnett Vineyard's first harvest was in 1989 and yielded 232 cases of "Spring Mountain Cabernet". The winery has expanded gradually since then, selecting outstanding vineyard sites for grapes in addition to those grown on the estate, leading to a current total production of approximately 8,000 cases. Rattlesnake and Spring Mountain District wines remain the focus with the total estate production varying between 5,000 and 6,000 cases annually. In addition, limited amounts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc are sourced from coveted single vineyards located in astounding appellations and produced.
750ML / 14.9% ABV
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