2019 Norma Jeane Merlot Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes: This wine immediately impresses with youthful ruby color. There is an enjoyable complexity of aromas with ripe plum, raspberry jam, rose pedals, and hints of dry sage. The flavors mimic the aromas with added hints of vanilla, cedar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Nice structure with mouth filling exuberant red fruit complement lively, youthful tannins and end with a long warm finish. This year we added a little Cabernet Sauvignon to the Merlot to give it a little richer mouthfeel. A large percentage of the fruit come from the same vineyard that we have relied on for the past 4 harvests as well as a few new vineyards we have sourced to give us added complexity. The 2019 vintage was one of the nicer vintages in recent years from the Paso Robles appellation. Consistent warm temperatures through the growing season, with a few heat spikes made for nice maturity of flavors at harvest. The Photograph: You see a 20-year old Norma Jeane with an eager smile and wide eyes, doing this pinup pose with a very un-pinup expression. This Magic Red Sweater photo session, the very first photo session with Bernard got Norma Jeane her very first screen test and motion picture contract.