2004 Amuse Bouche Premiere Napa Valley X Lot No. 049 Merlot

Amuse Bouche was founded in 2002 when renowned Napa Valley winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett and her friend John Schwartz decided to create a Pomerol-inspired Merlot from Napa Valley. Barrett grew up in the Napa Valley and has worked for numerous Napa Valley producers. She became a head winemaker at Buehler Vineyards at age 25, and went on to work in freelance winemaking. She was later hired as winemaker at Dalla Valle and consulted at many other wineries. In 1994 she started making La Sirena, a Sangiovese. Amuse Bouche is typically 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Barrett selects original artwork for each vintage’s distinctive label.

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.

96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc