<H1>2005 Estate Merlot -- Hartwell Vineyards Shopping Cart</H1> <B>$75.00</B> <P> <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/hartwell/images/estatemerlot150x175.gif" ALIGN=right ALT="2005 Estate Merlot" NAME="2005 Estate Merlot" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> 2005 HARTWELL ESTATE MERLOT<BR>STAGS LEAP DISTRICT, NAPA VALLEY<BR><BR>Starting with a late rainy spring that delayed flowering and gave us some concerns with the possibility of crop loss; the 2005 vintage was unusually late due to a cool weather front for most of the season with temperatures that averaged between 70-80&#176;. Thankfully Mother Nature brought us a nearly perfect fall with plenty of sunshine and average temperatures allowing us to pick the fruit later in the season; this extended hang time has enhanced the flavor and color development of the grapes leading to a very exciting wine.<BR><BR>Rich and concentrated aromas of sweet cherry, plum, baking spices opening with mocha and coffee notes leading to a beautifully balanced elegant Merlot. The texture of the wine is polished and silky; making the wine accessible and enjoyable now, but it will gain complexity and evolve with 7 to 8 years of bottle age.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Appellation: Stags Leap District Release Date: Spring 2008<BR>Blend: 86% Merlot 14%Cab Suggested Retail: $75 <BR>Aging: Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels<BR></P> <P><B>Other products in the category <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Category1" TITLE="Current Releases">Current Releases</A>:</B> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product31 TITLE="2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon">2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon</A> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product18 TITLE="2004 Miste' Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Blend">2004 Miste' Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Blend</A> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product19 TITLE="2004 SweetHart- Cabernet Sauvignon Dessert Wine">2004 SweetHart- Cabernet Sauvignon Dessert Wine</A> -- First time offered of this .375ml bottle <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product40 TITLE="2005 Miste Hill Cabernet Sauvignon">2005 Miste Hill Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product42 TITLE="2005 Miste Hill Cabernet Sauvignon">2005 Miste Hill Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell/Product1 TITLE="2006 Sauvignon Blanc">2006 Sauvignon Blanc</A> </P> <BR clear=left><BR><P><A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com/hartwell" TITLE="Hartwell Vineyards Products">Hartwell Vineyards Products</A></P> <BR clear=left><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><A HREF="http://www.hartwellvineyards.com">Hartwell Vineyards</A> <BR>Hartwell Vineyards <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="shopping cart">shopping cart</A> powered by Nexternal