<H1>2003 Estate Merlot MAGNUM -- Hartwell Vineyards Shopping Cart</H1> <B>$155.00</B> -- <I>Limited production jewel in Magnum!</I> <P> <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/hartwell/images/03merlot150x170.jpg" ALIGN=right ALT="2003 Estate Merlot MAGNUM" NAME="2003 Estate Merlot MAGNUM" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> <p><b>TASTING NOTES</b><br /> Fresh cut cherries, cassis, and rose petal dominate the nose of the 2003 Estate Merlot. The wine has a fine focus, but gains expression in the glass, offering notes of blueberry, vanilla bean, graphite and cocoa powder. On the entry the wine shows firm but supple flavors of pomegranate and red raspberry, with mouth-watering acidity and hints of bittersweet chocolate. The tannins are apparent, but then seem to melt away; leaving a finish of anise and black cherry that lingers on the palate.</p> <p>2003 was a challenging year for Merlot in the Napa Valley. A cool, wet spring made for a very small crop in the vineyard. Because of spring rains, many of the clusters were not fully formed, and a great deal of hand work in the vineyard was necessary to bring the fruit into balance. A heightened level of fruit selection, both in the vineyard and in the winery, helped to ensure that the resulting wine was the best possible reflection of what our vineyard has to offer. This wine will continue to open and gain complexity in the bottle, and should age well for 12 to 15 years.</p> <p>78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon<br /> 20 months in French oak barrels<br /> Production: 320 cases<br /> Release: Spring 2006</p></P> <P><B>Other products in the category <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Category2" TITLE="Library Wines">Library Wines</A>:</B> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product8 TITLE="2001 100% Cabernet Sauvignon">2001 100% Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Divine Cabernet Sauvignon <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product28 TITLE="2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Etched Magnum">2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Etched Magnum</A> -- 1.5 L Magnum Etched, Hand Painted, signed and Numbered <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product24 TITLE="2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon">2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Multi-layered, deep and ripe with rich complexity and generosity <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product15 TITLE="2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon">2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Dark and flavorful, with freshness and natural balance that is pure Stags Leap. <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product31 TITLE="2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon">2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Rich, dark and complex, with soft tannins and mouth-filling flavor. <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product18 TITLE="2004 Miste' Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Blend">2004 Miste' Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Blend</A> -- Estate blend from a lovely vintage </P> <BR clear=left><BR><P><A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell" TITLE="Hartwell Vineyards Products">Hartwell Vineyards Products</A></P> <BR clear=left><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><A HREF="http://www.hartwellvineyards.com">Hartwell Vineyards</A> <BR>Hartwell Vineyards <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="shopping cart">shopping cart</A> powered by Nexternal