WENTE FAMILY ESTATES GRAPEVINE
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FALL/WINTER 2017
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IN THE NEWS
o
ne of the most exciting times of
the year at Wente Vineyards is
Harvest season, when the win-
ery unveils new varietals. this
fall, Wente is featuring a 2016 Chardonnay
from arroyo seco in monterey, a 2015 mer-
itage from the Livermore Valley, and a 2015
merlot, also from Livermore. each wine
possesses its own unique characteristics
and partners spectacularly with specific
meats, produce and desserts.
WENTE VINEYARDS
2016 RIVA RANCH CHARDONNAY
Arroyo Seco, Monterey
Details: to complement the rich fruit
flavors, we barrel ferment about 90%
of this wine in a combination of 60%
new and 40% second-use french
and american oak barrels, which
adds notes of vanilla and spice and a
softer, fuller mouthfeel. also, 10% is
stainless-steel fermented, preserving the
natural vibrancy of the fruit. the wine un-
dergoes 100% malolactic fermentation and
is barrel-aged sur lie for eight months.
Tasting Notes: our 2016 single Vine-
yard riva ranch Chardonnay has lovely
notes of citrus and tropical fruit, such as
pineapple and mango. the rich mouthfeel
gives a taste of lemon-curd or a baked
apple tart, graham and toasty vanilla from
barrel aging. this opulent Chardonnay has
balanced acidity and a long, smooth linger-
ing finish.
Pairs Well With: grilled fish, rich desert
or cheeseboard.
WENTE VINEYARDS 2015 MERITAGE
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
Details: Varietals include 60% Cabernet
sauvignon, 20% merlot, 15% malbec, and
5% Petite Verdot.
Tasting Notes: a beautifully balanced
wine, with Cabernet sauvignon as the
backbone. this blend offers perfume-like
aromatics of black ripe fruit, black peppers
and redwood tree followed by notes of
black tea, sappy ripe sweetness and a finish
of soft, round tannins. this wine will de-
velop more complex qualities with age, so
it would be a great bottle to lay down for
7-10 years.
Pairs Well With: BBQ pork, sautéed veg-
etables or grilled steak.
NTH DEGREE 2015 MERLOT
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
Details: Varietals include 82% merlot,
12% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet sauvignon.
fermentation took place in small stainless-
steel tanks where the must was gently
pumped over three times daily. each vari-
ety was aged separately in french and neu-
tral oak barrels for three months. the
varieties were then blended and aged for
an additional 17 months in 80% new french
and 20% second-use french oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: our 2015 Nth Degree
merlot showcases complex aromatics from
black cherry and ripe blueberry to english
Breakfast tea and forest floor. this wine has
a long finish and is full in body with
medium acidity. Like all of our Nth Degree
wines, we suggest decanting at least an
hour before serving.
Pairs Well With: Pasta with meat sauce,
cheeseboard or grilled vegetables.
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EXCEPTIONAL WINES TO
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