2017 Barnett Spring Mountain Merlot

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Spring Mountain Merlot is a serious complex wine. In previous years, the red bright fruit took the lead, where this year it falls more into the cassis black fruit with layers of spice. Gravel minerality and earth surround the dark fruit. The wine is stereotypically rich and lush as is expected from low yielding mountain Merlot. Blackcurrants and cooking chocolate dominate the palate. The tannins are much firmer than in previous years with well-balanced mountain acidity. This big Merlot will age wonderfully over the next 14-15 years (2033-2034).

Blend: 81% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc

About Barnett Winery

Having grown up in Vancouver and Stockton respectively, Fiona and Hal Barnett became enamored with Napa Valley through frequent visits on the weekends. A vision began to form and they decided to purchase a 40-acre property located at the top of Spring Mountain Road in 1983. The first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted the following year with the intent of producing small amounts of hand-crafted wines that would showcase the unique characteristics found in grapes cultivated on such challenging, high elevation terrain.