Palio Vecchio 2000 Merlot

Palio Vecchio 2000 Merlot
Napa Valley, California

Palio Vecchio means "old prize" in Italian, and is a fitting name for this Merlot. The winemakers have combined traditional Italian winemaking with the modern benefits of aging the wine in French oak, which rounds out the wine's fruity flavors with smoky and toasty aromas. They buy their grapes from carefully selected vineyards in the eastern hills of Napa Valley. The valley floor can sometimes be too hot for Merlot, but the breezes on the hills let the grape develop the rich plummy flavors that have made Merlot such a popular grape in recent years. The winemakers have done their utmost to let this wine be a natural expression of itself, using natural yeasts and leaving the wine unfined and unfiltered - so nothing is taken away from all that the wine has to offer.

This means the Palio Vecchio Merlot complements Merlot's usual plum flavors with touches of black cherries and cedar, as well as a rich smokiness that makes for a great finish. It's a full-bodied, well-balanced wine that's warming and enjoyable to share with friends.