From a single vineyard in 2000 to a full-scale winery today, Vineyard 29 offers a portfolio of elegant bottlings that showcase the range and diversity of Napa Valley oenology. The Aida series features extraordinary wines crafted from their historic estate vineyard in St. Helena. The dry 2021 vintage proved ideal for crafting concentrated, flavorful wines, and we trust Antonio Galloni when he states, "This dense, extroverted Merlot is hard to resist."
Tech Notes
Wine Details
Jeb Dunnuck
Vinous
| Unit Size | 750.00 ML |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | United States |
| Appellation | St. Helena |
| Region | Napa Valley
|
| Alcohol Content | 14.70% |
By Vineyard 29
2021 Aida Estate Merlot
Vineyard
Our Aida Estate Vineyard has confirmed our initial belief that this site would be the ideal location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Just north of the pinch in the hourglass of the Napa Valley, the Merlot grapes from our Aida Estate provide a rich and supple, yet muscled backbone for this immensely enjoyable wine.
Vintage
From the very first days of harvest, we knew the 2021 vintage was a stellar one. The 2021 growing season began a week or two later than typical due to a colder-than-average February and March. A few spring showers helped the vines along, and the summer growing season was exceptionally good. The consistent weather, beautiful skies, and ideal ripening conditions facilitated a slow, steady accumulation of sugar alongside excellent tannin development. Harvest was smooth and steady, and while yields were lower than average, the grapes were concentrated and flavorful. Evocative of the 2016 and 2013 vintages, yet with exceptional qualities of this vintage, the 2021 Aida Estate wines are delicious upon release while still supremely cellar-worthy.
Wine Details
Blend: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest Date: September 3, 2021
Barrel Age: 20 months in 65% new French oak
Cooperage: Nadalie, Orion, Saury, Taransaud
Bottling Date: June 8, 2023
Alcohol: 14.70%
Release Date: Winter 2024
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Aida Estate Merlot opens as an exotic garden, with scents of violets, orchids, and earthy crushed rocks. Gentle swirling gives way to secondary notes of well-aged cigar box and pencil shavings, setting the stage for a dynamic palate. Ripe Bing cherry, black raspberry, and black plum dominate and fill out the palate while anise, refined chocolate, and spice add depth and complexity to this firm, well-structured wine. A long, drawn-out finish echoes the intensity of a Petrus and hints at this wine's impressive aging potential.
[Information provided by Vineyard 29]
Wine:Â 2021 Vineyard 29 Merlot Aida Estate
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window:Â 2023 - 2038
Review Date: 12/26/2023
Reviewed By:Â Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes:Â I loved the nose on the 2021 Merlot Aida Estate, which has pure cassis and black raspberry-like fruit as well as classy oak and coffee bean notes, medium to full body, a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This is one classy, pure, compelling Merlot that will drink well for upwards of 15 years.
Wine: Vineyard 29 2021Â Merlot Aida Estate
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023Â - 2031
Review Date: 12/2023
Reviewed By: Antonio GalloniÂ
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Merlot Aida Estate is another juicy, upfront offering. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, chocolate and cloves all meld together. This dense, extroverted Merlot is hard to resist.
