Wine Profile

• Composition:   100% Merlot
• Vineyard:   Milat Vineyard
• Appellation:   Napa Valley
• Sub-Appellation:   St. Helena
• Vintage:   1998
• Harvested:   September
• Grape Sugar:   24.5º Brix
• Time in Oak:   22 months
• Type of Oak:   100% American
• Wine T.A.:   0.62 grams per 100 ml
• Wine pH:   3.45
• Wine Alcohol:  13.5% by volume
• 129 cases made
• Price: $38.00

1998 GALLERON MILAT MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY

The Vineyard:

Brothers, Bob and Mike Milat and their family have been winegrowers in the Napa Valley since 1949. Their magnificent Merlot vineyard is located on the expansive Valley floor, just two miles south of the city of St. Helena. A grove of Eucalyptus trees towers above the pristine rows of manicured vines, and the trees are believed to be exerting their influence on the grapes that are grown in this coveted area. Winemaker Gary Galleron suspects that the intriguing mint, spice and pepper characteristics exhibited in this gorgeous wine are indeed a direct influence of the neighboring grove.

The Wine:

The Milat Merlot grapes were crushed and fermented at 88º in stainless steel vats and pressed out at dryness after seven days. The wine was immediately racked into new American Oak barrels and aged for twenty-two months.

Vibrant aromas of sage, spearmint, pepper and spice lead to an initially restrained but ultimately explosive array of violets and perfume. Luscious layers of raspberries, plums, chocolate and mocha cream further power the wine's complexity. The finish is smooth and stylish, highlighting a structure that bodes well for mid-term aging.

What The Critics Say...

Reviewed in The Insiders Wine line - Volume 4, Number 4

"The 1998 Merlot, Milat Vineyard, Napa Valley has aromas of cherries, layered berries,cocoa, menthol, green olive and black pepper with floral highlights. The flavors od cherries, berries, cassis, spice and licorice are bold with with exceptional depth followed by a fruity, expansive finish. Rating: 90"