Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot 2016

Grapes for this 2017 Merlot were sourced from Pahlmeyer Estate vineyards and Rancho Chimiles in Napa Valley. Grape clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table where two screens sifted out materials other than grapes, and we removed by hand any fruit that did not pass visual inspection. After gentle destemming, individual berries were hand-sorted again to ensure that only the best grapes were delivered to the fermenters. The fruit underwent five days of cold maceration and two to six weeks of primary fermentation before gentle basket press. The wine aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 20 months. 100% Merlot.
97 pts James Suckling