2006 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley (Wine Selections / Red Wine) -- Bell Wine Cellars Shopping Cart -- Valley Napa Merlot, Cellars Wine Bell 2006

<H1>2006 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley -- Bell Wine Cellars Shopping Cart</H1> $30.00 -- 2006 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/bellwine/images/YVL%20Merlot1.gif" WIDTH=150 ALIGN=right ALT="2006 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley" NAME="2006 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot, Napa Valley" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> Vineyard Our Merlot is made from Merlot grapes grown on the Spanos Berberian Vineyard in Yountville, Clone 6 Cabernet sauvignon grown on the Georges III vineyard in Rutherford, and Syrah from the Massa Ranch in Yountville. Yountville benefits from the early receding fog resulting in more sunlight and warmer daytime temperatures. These warm summer daytime temperatures and cool evenings regions result in grapes with bright fruit flavors and excellent natural acidity. The Clone 6 Cabernet from Rutherford has the soft, elegant tannins one expects from the area. Vintage Notes The 2006 growing season began with heavy rains and floods around the Napa Valley. Rainfall continued well into spring with later than usual bloom and set in June. A record heat wave in mid-July failed to damage vines as they were slightly behind in the cycle. Normal, mild weather returned in August and continued, allowing for paced ripening. Cold weather with rain in October slowed sugar accumulation while allowing extended hang time, which enhances maturity and optimal development of flavors. Overall, the season was an outstanding year and has produced wines with beautiful structure, great color, and high natural acidity. Vinification Merlot grapes were hand-harvested and gently crushed to minimize crushing of berries and maximize fruit character. We fermented at 80 degrees-F with a Bordeaux yeast strain, and extracted color utilizing gentle irrigation over the skins. Following fermentation the wine underwent malo-lactic fermentation and was then racked to barrel. The wine was barrel aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. The wine was not fined and received one filtration prior to bottling. Tasting Notes Our Merlot, deep garnet in color, has rich black cherry fruit aromas, with hints of eucalyptus and oak. Addition of Syrah brings depth of fruit to the nose and palate, while the addition of Clone 6 Cabernet sauvignon adds structure to the finish. Soft tannins balance well with good fruit acidity and concentrated fruit flavors to yield a wine that will develop well with several years of aging. A rich, concentrated, full-bodied Merlot with a lingering finish and supple mouthfeel. 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