2015 Merlot
Because Merlot flourishes in relatively cool growing regions with moist soils, it’s extremely well-suited to the ancient alluvial loams, temperate climate, and long growing season of our estate vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, a sweet spot between Napa’s warmer up-valley regions and its cool southern tip.
Vintage
- 2015
Varietal
-
95% Merlot
3% Cabernet Sauvignon
2% Malbec
Appellation
- Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
Estate Vineyard
-
100% Main Ranch
Harvest
- September 14-30
Oak
- 18 months in (40% new)
56% French
30% American 14% Hungarian
Alcohol
- 14.1%
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With a warm spring, the vines got off to an early start. The weather turned cool during bloom which impacted fruit set and resulted in fewer grapes per cluster. The size of the crop was further reduced as the dry soils, from a lack of late rains, led to smaller grapes. The weather was warm throughout the summer leading right into one of our earliest harvests ever. The resulting wines are fantastic as the smaller grapes and fine weather contributed to ideal ripeness with very concentrated flavors.
The WineThis Merlot sets the standard for elegance with a perfume of red fruits and earthy notes and flavors of raspberry, plum and black pepper. On the palate, the wine is silky yet bright, a classic Trefethen.
Food AffinitiesDelicious with duck, barbecued chicken, lamb dishes, tomato-based pastas and mushroom pizza. A dash of freshly ground black pepper over a dish creates a lovely combination with our Merlot.
Accolades93 POINTS (v. 2015)
Wine Enthusiast July 2018
91 POINTS (v. 2015)
The Tasting Panel April 2018
DOUBLE GOLD ~ 99 POINTS
~ BEST OF CLASS (v. 2015)
California State Fair Wine Competition
April 2018
GOLD-92 POINTS (v. 2014)
Winemaker Challenge January 2017
92 POINTS (v. 2013)
Wine Enthusiast September 2016
94 POINTS (v. 2013)
“Trefethen thankfully remains committed to this unfairly maligned grape, and continues to turn out some of the best examples in California...Those in the know always have some Trefethen Merlot stashed away for when their wine loving friends come around.”
Rich Cook, Wine Review Online March 2016
92 POINTS (v. 2012)
James Suckling July 2015
BEST MERLOT OF THE SHOW ~
94 POINTS ~ PLATINUM (v. 2012)
•San Diego International Wine Competition
June 2015
•Critics Challenge June 2015
GOLD (v. 2012)
TEXSOM International Wine Competition
February 2015
93 POINTS (v. 2007)
“Easily one of the best Napa Valley Merlots
out there.”
Editors’ Choice Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Vintage 2002 "...Reminds me of the best merlots produced in the Pomerol region of France..."
Bob Hosmon, Syndicated Columnist
Vintage 2001 "...reminiscent of the ethereal, merlot-based wines made by Christian Moueix in Pomerol..."
Ben Giliberti, Washington Post
