2013 Ehlers Estate St. Helena Merlot

Ehlers Estate in St. Helena dates to the late 19th century, when Bernard Ehlers bought 10 acres in St. Helena and started Bale Mill Winery. A century later Jean and Sylviane Leducq, French entrepreneurs, acquired the Ehlers property and other nearby vineyards. Today the 42-acre estate is run by Sylviane Leducq and a staff, including winemaker Kevin Morrisey. Ehlers makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.