2006 No. 254 Meritage

"...dark ruby/purple hued, boutique styled offering...notes of camphor, smoke, charcoal, black currants, cherries, spice box...dense, full-bodied, and elegant, it should evolve for 15-20 years" 91 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, December 2009

The Napa Valley Viticultural Area is renowned for its long growing season marked by sunny, warm and dry days followed by cool evenings. These growing conditions are ideal for allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. Despite inclement weather conditions, the 2006 harvest was marked as an exceptional vintage. Winter began with extreme rainfall causing flooding in much of Napa Valley. The rain continued into early spring and the cool, wet weather delayed bud break by a few weeks. However, the sun came out in early June allowing the vines to bloom and set fruit. A 10-day streak of record heat in July helped catch the vines up to a “normal” place in the growing season. The return of cooler weather in fall allowed for moderately paced and deliberate ripening, ideal for developing premium grapes with good complexity, acidity and flavor.

SHIPPING ADVISORY: We strongly encourage Express or Climate Controlled shipping to protect your wine purchases. UPS and Fed Ex do not insure against damage caused by weather. Climate control uses a refridgerated truck for transportation from Napa Valley to to a regional hub and then is handed to the carrier for 1 - 2 day delivery. Trucks leave once a week, hence the longer delivery time. Please call 866-549-2582 with questions.