1998 A. Rafanelli Merlot

A. Rafanelli Winery in in Healdsburg. Its roots go back to the early 1900s, when Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, began growing grapes in Healdsburg and making wine. In the 1950s the family moved the winery to Dry Creek Valley and began growing Zinfandel. The first commercial vintages were made in the 1970s and today the 85-acre estate is still owned and operated by the Rafanelli family. The estate makes Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that is available only directly through the winery. Some 11,000 cases are made annually. California wine writer James Laube has noted that A. Rafanelli makes “formidable wines, (that) are very consistent from year to to year; they drink exceptionally well….”

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.