2003 Release

The Vintage

The long awaited vintage is finally here, Strata Vineyards 2003.  We want to give this one a special send off.  Taste it and you will know why.  The 2003 vintage season started out warm and was followed by a long cool down which gave the grapes a nice slow ripening.  The warm weather finish is were this vintage turned out to give us, a bright & full Merlot with ripe concentrated flavors we have all grown to love in our Strata Merlot.

 

The Vineyard

Our estate vineyard is located in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley. Deep layers of clay are overlaid with seams of cobblestone and a thin blanket of loam. These soil characteristics and the uniquely cool climate of our site, combined with the lyre trellis system to provide the vines with uniform sun exposure, allow the grapes to maximize their color, flavor and sugar potential.



Winemaking Notes:
• Varietal Composition: 100% Merlot
• Appellation: Oak Knoll District , Napa Valley
• Sugar at Harvest: 25 degrees brix
• Time in Oak: 24 months
• Type of Oak: 50% new French 50% new American Oak
• Alcohol: 14.8%
• Bottled: December 3, 2005
• Cases Produced: 600 cases
• Release Date : Fall 2007

Tasting Notes

The 2003 Strata Merlot is a bright and full Merlot showing purity, texture, & depth.  The aromas are dense of ripe concentrated flavors.  Bright cherry, wild berries, chocolate, cinnamon & toasty sweet oak start your senses going.  On the palate, it’s lush and creamy texture is ripe and round showing full mid palate flavors of chocolate, black plum, & sweet oak.  The well intefrated tannins give you the long finish you desire in this medium to full bodied 100% merlot.  Drink now or cellar a case and enjoy the wine as it evolves over the next decade.

Cheers.

PO Box 97 Napa, CA 94559
T: 707 253-8039 F: 707 253-7724
info@stratavineyards.com • www.stratavineyards.com