Bordeaux, Right Bank Napa Sonoma

Libournais
Climate Winkler II Winkler III to Winkler IIV Winkler III
Mean Temperature Daily maximum: 61° F (July) Daily maximum: 59° F (July) Daily maximum: 64° F (July)
Warmest Month Daily minimum: 37° F (July) Daily minimum: 354° F (July) Daily minimum: 43° F (July)
Mean Temperature Daily maximum: 87° F (February) Daily maximum: 91° F (February) Daily maximum: 81° F (February)
Coolest month Daily minimum: 54° F (February) Daily minimum: 65° F (February) Daily minimum: 60° F (February)
Annual Rainfall 36.7 inches annually 36 to 38 inches annually 23.6 to 79.75 inches annually
Elevation Sea level to 177 ft 1,411 to 6,562 ft 400 to 1100 ft
Subregion Pomerol Saint Émilion Many of Napa Valley’s Regions grow Bennet Valley
Merlot, with more notable sub-AVA’s
than there are non-notable subAVA’s.
Soil Gravelly and Center: limestone Half the world’s soil orders More of an alluvial bench than a
sandy rock surface plateau surround- 33 soil series with more than 100 soil valley, volcanic activity created
mixed with iron ed by chalky soils variations both the diverse topography and
oxides, known as with a clay-loam a wide range of soil types, expo-
“crasse de fer” texture. North- sures and terrains. The volcanic
west: sandy layer history of the landscape defines
on top of rather the soils: steep, rocky soils with
clay-like soils. good drainage encourage deep
roots and intense flavors with-
out dilution
Characteristics "The wines tend "The wines have Since these early days, Merlot has Bennett Valley Merlot offers
to be richer, with medium to high come into its own as a varietal wine. rich fruit and chocolate flavors
a spicier, black- tannins but, Its lovely aromas of ripe cherry and as well as structure and balance
berry fruit char- compared with rich earthiness, a soft velvet mouth so often missing in this variety
acter than that the more struc- feel, and a smooth finish. Given when grown in warmer climates.
of Saint Emilion." tured wines of the the diversity of vineyard sites and You’ll commonly find more
-- WSET Left Bank, they winemaking practices in Napa Valley, exotic scents as well: cherry cola,
have a soft and Merlot has shown itself capable of sandalwood and licorice meld
rich mouthfeel producing both lighter and full-bod- with white pepper and intrigu-
with complex ied, richly textured wines. ing spice notes on a long, lus-
red berry fruit and cious finish.
plum aromas. As
they evolve, notes - http://www.bvgg.org/
of tobacco and
cedar appear.

The vineyards
on sandy soils at
the foot of the
escarpment are
typically a source
of lighter-bodied,
less prestigious
wines."
-- WSET
Appellation Insight vins-saint-emil- vins-pomerol.fr napavintners.com sonomawine.com
by: ion.com/en

174 HAWAII BEVERAGE GUIDE'S 2021 GUIDE TO WINE HAWAIIBEVGUIDE.COM