JR Wine 2005 Cork Tree Merlot Napa Valley

JR Wine

Our last vintage of this blockbuster Merlot (Duckhorn bought the vineyard). This is the Merlot for those who, "don’t do Merlot". Blackberry and dark cherry skin aromas, rich and juicy fruit flavors of black currants, chocolate, cola and toasty oak. Drinking well now but with the structure to last for years.

Wine Advocate
Dec 2008 Robert Parker 88 Drink: 2008 - 2016
The consulting winemaker is Kirk Venge. The 2005 Merlot Cork Tree Vineyard possesses a deep ruby color as well as copious quantities of sweet berry fruit intermixed with touches of vanilla bean and earth. This round, well-made Merlot is ideal for drinking now and over the next 7-8 years.

This small boutique operation is owned by John Ramsey, a former electronics business tycoon. Ramsey’s goal is to produce limited quantities of high quality wines, and the total annual production is less than 1,000 cases.

Wine Enthusiast

NA

Type	Red
Varietal	Merlot
Vintage	2005
Bottle size	750mL
Alcohol content	14.5%
Appellation	California – Napa Valley
Wine Advocate	88
Wine Enthusiast	--
Wine Spectator	--
Other	n/a

Kirk Venge, winemaker
Who we are: John Ramsey, former electronics business owner sold his communications test equipment business and pursued his dream of making wine in Napa! Long time friend Nils Venge suggested his son, Kirk to work with him in this undertaking. We custom crush at the Venge Rossini Ranch Winery where Kirk is our consulting winemaker. Kirk was voted one of the top 25 up-and-coming winemakers of the world in the October 2005 issue of Food and Wine Magazine.