2012 Matthiasson Red Hen Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, USA Domaine Chapel Vinification and aging in oak

Vinification and aging in oak barrels for 8 monhths

The summer started with cool days but passed on to hot days and nights

Fermentation in barrels with frequent lees stirring and regular topping up

Soil: The substrata is dominated by marl formations and the top layer are covered in limestone scree

After pressing the wine is racked to French barrels

2012 Matthiasson Red Hen Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, USA Domaine Chapel Vinification and aging in oakFrom the cool, breezy southern Napa flats, Red Hens gravelly alluvial soils give Merlot that is ripe but finely etched. The fruit was picked on the earlier side and fermented with native yeasts in small tanks, mostly destemmed, with gentle daily pump overs to keep the tannins fine. levage was deliberately quiettime in neutral French oak rather than new woodso the vineyard speaks clearly. This wine is offered from a private cellar, Terms and Conditions