Robert Keenan Merlot 1996

The long growing season and steady, high temperatures in September of 1996 helped create Merlot grapes of the highest quality. The grapes for the 96 Keenan Merlot were harvested primarily from the Keenan Estate on Spring Mountain, and the remainder from select vineyards on the floor of the Napa Valley. Keenan carefully chose the valley floor grapes to add complexity, and to soften the powerful Keenan Estate fruit.

The 1996 Merlot has been aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. An ample amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was added to the wine before bottling, and seven months of bottle aging has been allowed before release. The resulting wine shows intense plum and black cherry aromas that are enhanced by a toasty oak background. Consumers can expect the wine to open up to a rich, velvety, full bodied wine that pleases the palate.