2020 Silenus - Merlot Napa Oak Knoll District

Silenus Winery sits on land first planted by Bruce Newlan back in 1967, when the property still sold fruit to now legendary names like Inglenook, Robert Mondavi, and Silver Oak. After passing through a partnership known as Koves Newlan, the estate was purchased and thoughtfully rebuilt by Bob Williamson, who opened the current tasting room in 2007 under the Silenus name, drawn from the companion of Dionysus in Greek mythology. Today Silenus operates as one of Napa's few multi-winery facilities, sharing its property and tasting room with more than a dozen boutique labels while continuing to produce its own estate wines.

This Merlot is built primarily from the Materra Vineyard, a site in the Oak Knoll District that benefits from cool evenings thanks to its proximity to the Napa River and San Pablo Bay, ideal conditions for rich, well balanced Merlot. The blend is rounded out with Petit Verdot from the nearby Jaeger Vineyard and a small amount of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon. The finished wine spent twenty-two months aging in a mix of new French and American oak alongside neutral barrels.

The wine shows a deep garnet color with bright aromas of cranberry, Bing cherry, and blueberry, layered with hints of spiced plum and dried tobacco leaf. It pairs well with braised beef cheeks, grilled portobello mushrooms, or aged pecorino.