2006 Artesa Merlot Reserve Napa Valley (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Deep purple in color. The nose gives mineraland black fruit notes with black cherry and plumb leading the way. A hint of bay leaf also adds to the aromas. Across the palate the plumb notes continues with cherry, vanilla and a hint of smoke. The tannins and round and silky. This Merlot is from the cooler regions of the Napa Valley so long hang time contributes to the fruit forward flavor profile. The Artesa Merlot program continues to produce value driven wines year after year.