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Trefethen's estate at Oak Knoll is an ideal terroir for Merlot due to its moderate climate, alluvial soils, cooler nights, and long growing season. With over 50 years of experience, the Trefethens produce a poised and elegant Merlot that is layered and complex. The 2019 growing season featured a wet winter followed by a challenging growing season that alternated between warmer and cooler days. But the grapes were harvested in mid-October after a warm and sunny September. Made with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec, this Merlot delights with a nose of ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum as well as flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, and a long, juicy finish. It pairs well with Italian cuisine and savory dishes with roasted mushrooms. Decanter scored it 90 points, noting its charming fruit, vanilla, toast, and cocoa with refreshing acidity.
A family-owned producer of distinguished estate wines for over 50 years, Trefethen Family Vineyards has always been guided by a unique dedication to sustainable farming, thoughtful winemaking and gracious hospitality. The majority of Trefethen’s nearly 600 acres are found on the Main Ranch Vineyard, located in Oak Knoll – about midway between Yountville and Napa – a cooler district in the southern half of the Napa Valley. The other property is the Hillspring Vineyard, on the low foothills of the mountains just to west of Oak Knoll. Trefethen produces mainly Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Riesling. However, it farms a total of nine grape varieties, the others being Malbec, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Pinot Noir. (The other varieties are either used for blending, released in special bottlings or sold to other wineries).
Eugene Trefethen, an engineering company executive, purchased the historic, but run-down property in 1968 as a post-retirement hobby. When his son, John, suggested replanting the vineyards and founding an estate winery, the idea was considered foolhardy at best. Back then, the Napa Valley was an isolated community with more prune and walnut orchards than vineyards, and only 20 wineries were in existence. But the estate happened to feature a standing winery building from an earlier era, which added credence to the idea that wine would be both history and future. As it turned out, John and his wife, Janet, caught the new Napa winemaking wave, and their energy propelled Trefethen Family Vineyards into becoming one of the top new wineries of the 1970s. Indeed, in 1979 the 1976 Trefethen Chardonnay was declared “The Best Chardonnay in the World” at the Gault Millau Wine Olympics held in Paris.
Since the mid-2000s, the third generation of Trefethens, John and Janet’s children, Hailey and Lorenzo, have taken charge. 50 years has given this family an intimate understanding of their vineyards, from the soils and microclimates of the various blocks to the varietals, the clones and the rootstock. With this knowledge, they can continue to create new blends and reserve wines made from superior blocks of the very best vines and build on a legacy of estate grown wines of remarkable quality and integrity.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Napa Valley |
| Sub-Ava | Oak Knoll District |
| Winery | Trefethen |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Color | Red |
| Varietal(s) | 84% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 8.0 x 30.5 |
| Case Size | 32.5 x 25.0 x 31.5 |
| Alcohol | 14.1% |
| Product Code | TR19NM |
| UPC | 013024770019 |
90 points – Decanter.
Aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry and plums play off a touch of dark chocolate. The palate modulates toward dark flavors of black cherry and boysenberry with layered herbal notes leading to a long, juicy finish. A well-balanced Merlot, medium-bodied with a firm tannin structure and a fresh finish.
After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine aged 18 months in 46% new oak.