From the Winery 

“This Merlot offers notes of raspberry croissant, red currants, cocoa powder, and layers of graphite. The palate showcases fine, firm tannins alongside chocolate cherry lollipop, red plums, dried goji berries,  and toasted brioche.It is supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish. Enjoy now and through 2035 with proper cellaring.”

Winemaker Notes

“Upon hand-harvesting in the early morning hours, the grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold soaked in tank at 45 ̊F for4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction.After inoculation with a select yeast, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82 ̊F, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins.For fermentation cap management, the juice was pumped over the skins two times each day, wetting the cap evenly fora nice healthy fermentation. After fermentation and pressing, the wine was aged in 35% new French oak and 65% neutral oak for 20 months before bottling. The blend is 87% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. Whitehall Lane has always utilized the art of blending to make a Merlot with layers of flavors, complexity, and balance. These elements assist with the goal of varietal typicity in creating the perfect Merlot. This 2019 Napa Valley Merlot was bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

The Vintage 

“2019 was a long, ideal growing season for our Napa Valley Merlot grapes. Bud break occurred from late March through April This long flowering period gave way to a healthy set of uniform grape clusters. Summer was quite warm and long, followed by a cooling effect near the end of the season and into Fall. Throughout the growing season, there were no heat spikes and temperatures remained steady. This consistent summer weather encouraged our Merlot grapes to fully ripen from mid-September to late October when the grapes were in perfect balance. The fruit was harvested from our vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford, and the Oak Knoll District appellations.”

91 Points Wine Spectator

“Refined and structured, with expressive red currant, toasty mocha and tomato leaf tones that gather tension and polish toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.”

91 Points James Suckling

“Vibrant, fruity nose of ripe plums, raspberries, mulberries, licorice and nutmeg. Some chocolate orange, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy tannins. Plush, round and succulent. Drink or hold.”

91 Points Wine Enthusiast

“Firm tannins with strawberry rhubarb, leather, and spice. It is supple and shows depth on the finish.”

90 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Whitehall Lane’s 2019 Merlot Napa Valley actually contains 87% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Slightly candied cherry notes mark the nose, framed by vanilla and touches of dried tobacco, while the medium to full-bodied palate is succulent and juicy, textured without being overly rich or tannic. Drink: 2022-2030.”