1996 Lewis Cellars Sonoma Merlot

Lewis Cellars in Oakville, Napa Valley, was founded in 1992 by Debbie and Randy Lewis. They own no vineyards but source their grapes from Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oak Knoll, Carneros and the Russian River Valley. The estate produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Total production is 9,000 cases annually. The Lewises originally hired Paul Hobbs as winemaker, but today the winemaker is Brian Mox. California wine writer James Laube has written that all the estate’s wines “are of unusually high quality.”

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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.