1996 Clos Pegase Carneros Merlot

Clos Pegase is in Calistoga, Napa Valley. It was founded in 1984 by Jan and Mitsuko Shrem. Jan had spent several decades in the publishing industry in Japan before selling his company and devoting himself to learning winemaking. Today Clos Pegase owns about 400 acres of vineyards in Calistoga and Los Carneros. The estate is notable for its showcase winery, which was designed by celebrity architect Michael Graves and built in 1987. Also the Shrems' large collection of modern art is displayed inside the winery and outside in sculpture gardens. The estate produces a large portfolio of wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, to Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Rose and Syrah.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.