Smith Wooton Melange is a classic Right Bank Bordeaux blend composed of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This wine was carefully crafted by the Benton family to display elegance, finesse, and an ae worthy gracefulness.

Vineyard Notes

Grapes for this Right Bank Bordeaux Style Blend come from two highly acclaimed Napa Valley Vineyard. Flinn Vineyard is the site where our single vineyard cabernet franc is made. In addition, we blended in merlot grown in the Longwood Ranch vineyard. Both of these sites are expertly farmed using Bordeaux practices and influence.

These two iconic vineyards combine to create a wine that is even greater than the sum of its parts. Winemaker, Daniel Benton further accentuated our homage to the Right Bank by using old world European techniques in the cellar.

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Cabernet Franc for the 2013 Smith Wooten Melange comes from Flinn Vineyard. This tiny 1-1/2 acre vineyard is situated on a west facing slope of the Silverado Trail in the heart of the Cabernet Franc growing region, the Oak Knoll District. A porous volcanic sub- structure beneath the topsoil provides superb drainage.

Winemaker Daniel Benton hand tends this plot and knows each vine intimately. This special attention by the Winemaker created a wine with layers of complexity. As the result of his efforts, the grapes are fat, ripe and loaded with varietal flavors.

The combination of vineyard location, soil and vineyard practices yields fully mature fruit with true Cabernet Franc varietal characteristics.