2016 Silenus Merlot

Merlot from the Ranch 9 Vineyard underpins this wine and provides rich, red fruit tones to the mid-palate. The Ranch 9 Vineyard is located at the Southeast end of the Oak Knoll District. Due to its proximity to the San Pablo Bay, this vineyard tends to be cooler during the afternoon, which is critical for growing rich and complex Merlot. The final blend is completed with Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate vineyard in Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley. This is a very special location adjacent to Dry Creek and the vineyard has a long history of producing extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon. From the 1970’s through the early 2000’s a portion of the vineyard was sold to Robert Mondavi and used in his Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Mr. Mondavi would personally visit each year to inspect and review the vineyard. All of the wine was aged in 40% new French oak, 10% new American oak (both medium plus and heavy toast), and 50% neutral barrels for 22 months.

BLEND:

• 76% Merlot: Ranch 9 Monticello Road
• 24% Cabernet Sauvignon: Estate Vineyards, Oak Knoll

HISTORY

In 1968 a walnut orchard in the Southwestern corner of Napa Valley, in what is now the AVA of the Oak Knoll District, was converted to Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards by Bruce Newlan, a rocket scientist from San Jose who vacationed in Napa Valley. The roots of Silenus Winery were firmly established.

The choice of locating in the Oak Knoll District (OKD) was very deliberate. The OKD lies at the southern end of the Napa Valley where the growing season is longer, providing early bud break and a long, leisurely growing season for optimal, balanced ripeness. 

The cooler nights and slowly rising daytime temperatures create a naturally long hang time for fruit to achieve bright acidity, great texture, fruit-forward aromas and elegant flavors.

Through the 1970’s the grapes from this vineyard were sold to Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, and Inglenook wineries and consistently ended up in their reserve wines. 

Realizing the stellar-quality wine this 20-acre vineyard produced, Newlan obtained a winery permit in 1978 and began producing his own award-winning wines. In 2008 the ownership changed and the first vintage of Silenus Wines were introduced. 

Silenus Wines are now available internationally and in the United States. The winery remains committed to crafting wines that showcase the vineyards and the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley.

Silenus Winery takes its responsibility to be good stewards of the land very seriously and have since our founding in 1968. Sustainability encompasses much more than ordering recycled office paper or reducing pesticides in the vineyard – it is an ongoing, dynamic process all staff participate in daily. Being sustainable means running our winery in a manner that puts the health of the planet and well-being of our people in the the forefront of our thinking. We do this each day with every decision we make. We are inspired by our neighbors and fellow wineries in the Napa Valley.