2018 Tamber Bey Merlot

Tamber Bey Vineyards was founded in 1999, when Barry Waitte purchased a 60-acre vineyard in Yountville and 11 acres in the Oakville appellation. For several years Waitte called his estate the Two Rivers Vineyard, then changed it to Deux Chevaux. In 2000 he hired winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown and changed the name of the company a few years later to Tamber Bey Vineyards. Today the winemaker is Frederic Delivert. The estate also includes an equestrian facility. Tamber Bey makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends, as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Yountville AVA is just west of Stags Leap and north of Oak Knoll. It is centered around the town of Yountville, named for George Yountville, who planted the area’s first vineyard in 1836. The district received appellation status in 1999 and it includes 4,000 vineyard acres. It is known for tannic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a reputation for aging well. Dominus Estate, formerly Napanook Vineyard, is one of the most prestigious producers in Yountville, and in all of Napa Valley.

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.