2018 Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley Merlot

Vineyard Notes: The Silenus Merlot is a blend of Merlot from the Materra Vineyard and the Silenus Estate Vineyard both located in the heart of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The OKD is one of the most diverse growing regions in the Napa Valley. The close proximity to the San Pablo Bay provides the fruit with warm days and cool nights. It has a perfect convergence of growing conditions, the mildest climate in the Napa Valley, alluvial fan soils that provide the right balance of nutrients and stress, and the longest growing season, about 8 months, that results in full and complex flavor development in the grapes.

The Materra vineyard enjoys especially cool evenings due to its proximity to Napa River and the San Pablo Bay, which is critical for growing rich and complex Merlot. The final blend is completed with Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate vineyard in Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley.

Tasting Notes: Bright aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam and oak grace the nose. Dense and lush red fruit flavors of black raspberry and plum are followed by dark chocolate on the mid-palate. The finish is very long and silky with reverberating flavors of black cherry and toasted vanilla. This Merlot is wonderfully balanced with fruit, acidity, and oak all contributing to a classy and delicious wine.

Blend: 92.05% Merlot: Materra Vineyard, Oak Knoll 7.95% Cabernet Sauvignon: Estate Vineyards, Oak Knoll

All of the wine was aged in 40% new French oak, 10% new American oak (both medium plus and heavy toast), and 50% neutral barrels for 26 months.

Specs: Harvest date: • Merlot: September 20, 2018 • Cabernet Sauvignon: October 23, 2018 Bottling date: January 21, 2021 Bottle size: 750 mL Titratable Acidity: 6.02 g/L pH: 3.61 Alcohol: 14.5%

Silenus Winery • 5225 Solano Avenue, Napa, California 94558 • 707.299.3930 • silenuswinery.com