1998 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley

Purchase 1998 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley

This limited production (1470 cases) Merlot was harvested from the Atlas Peak appellation of Napa Valley in late October of 1998. The use of mountain fruit combined with the extended hang time resulted in a wine of exceptional intensity and complexity. Punching the cap of skins and seeds into the juice throughout fermentation further contributed to this wine's great color and depth of character. We blended 14% Cabernet Sauvignon into the wine to complement the soft, round flavors of Merlot. In a departure from our traditional 18 months of barrel aging for Merlot, this vintage spent almost two years in toasted American oak barrels. The wine has a nose of fresh ripe raspberry and black cherry with hints of nutmeg and buttery oak. On the palate, the complex and round, full flavors are balanced with silky tannins that lead to a clean and pleasing finish. This wine will age well for several years to come.

Purchase 1998 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley

Other products in the category Library Wines / Library Merlot:

2001 Merlot, Napa Valley -- Mother nature was very good to us in 2001, allowing for long hang times and optimal maturities. This merlot was produced from "mountain fruit", grown in the Atlas Peak region in the hills above Oakville. Here is your last chance to get an exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage. The 2001 Merlot is bursting with ripe fruit and balanced tannins. An intense aroma of blackberry, cassis, vanilla and spice is complimented with subtle hints of tobacco, clove and chocolate. On the palate, the wine is full and rich with plenty of blackberry, cherry fruit and just the right amount of toasty vanillin oak. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will continue to develop in the bottle for many years. (Limited production - 700 cases)

1997 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley -- This Merlot is a deep ruby-red color, and the complex nose reveals brambly raspberry and violets intertwined with delicate toasty oak. On the palate, the first impression is round, soft and full. As the fine structure evolves in the mouth, flavors of ripe blackberry and hints of coffee and anise are integrated into a lingering finish.

1996 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley -- This wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Both vineyards are in the eastern mountains of the Napa Valley and have produced a big yet balanced wine. After aging in small cooperage for 16 months, we bottled 798 cases. A deep dark ruby color, this wine gently opens up to mellow aromas of toasty vanilla and hints of cassis and blackberry. On the palate, the first impression is round and full, showing balanced ripe fruit flavors and leaving a clean impression.

1994 ZD Wines Merlot, Napa Valley -- The 1994 Merlot is a blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, both from the Krupp Vineyard in the Atlas Peak appellation of Napa Valley. Surprisingly for Merlot, the tannins were fairly high so we blended it with some Cabernet Sauvignon to soften the wine and add depth on the palate. A second year in the barrel added the final touch in enhancing the complexity of this wine. The finished wine is dark in color, showing delicate aromas of cinnamon, oak and deep, rich fruit. Full, round fruit flavors linger on the palate with a smooth finish.