2022 THORN MERLOT BY THE PRISONER

$75

Total $75
Total
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Working with our growers in Napa Valley, we have wonderful access to small, premium vineyard lots of Merlot, which served as our inspiration to create Thorn. The Merlot was blended with a touch of Petite Verdot to help give its inky color and little Malbec to accentuate the fruit.

Mixed berry coolis, sweet spices and hints of cocoa tease your nose. The palate is soft and plush with a full mid palate and a sturdy, lengthy finish. Flavors of black berries, and dried red berries, dominate with hints of holiday spices carrying through to the finish. 

Black berries
Dried red berries
Hints of holiday spices

Mixed berry coolis
Sweet spices
Hints of cocoa

ABV 14.5%

Vintage 2022

Varietal Merlot

Appellation Napa Valley

Varietal Composition: Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec

The 2022 growing season started with average rainfall that enabled bud break to begin on time. Followed by a mild summer that led to quick veraison and even ripening. A major heatwave after Labor Day created some challenges for the Napa Cabernet vineyards and we did make a few fermentation changes. The other red grapes were less affected, and the heat allowed for the ripening of tannins that lead this vintage towards a softer mouthfeel and fruit forward flavors.