Deep ruby color; cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry, redcurrant, chocolate, rose petals, earth, spices, dried herbs on the nose and palate.
Dry; soft, thick tannins; moderate acidity. Medium plus to full body; velvety mouthfeel. Intense aromatics. Pure merlot play, Clone 3 and Clone 181 sustainably farmed. Grapes hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel; 17 days of maceration. Aged 18 months in French oak, 80% new. 14.8% ABV
Kimberlee Nicholls is the winemaker, one of the first female winemakers in the Napa Valley. She has been a winegrower and winemaker since 2001. She supervises 350 acres of Napa Green certified sustainable estate vineyards in Yountville, Oak Knoll, and Calistoga. Markham Vineyards hold Napa Green Land, Napa Green Winery, and Fish Friendly Farming certifications.
The Little Cannon Vineyard is located in the Oak Knoll AVA, just south of Yountville. The Napa River is the east boundary, the Mount Veeder AVA is the western. There is marine influence from San Pablo Bay, making Oak Knoll temperatures average 10 degrees cooler than the upper Napa Valley. Oak Knoll typically has the longest growing season in Napa, leading to more concentration and depth. It is often called the “Goldilocks AVA”—not too hot, not too cold.
This particularly was the case in the outstanding 2021 vintage when dry conditions produced smaller berries and reduced yields. While yields were down, quality was up, particularly compared to the 2020 vintage that experienced high heat spikes and wildfires. The vintage delivered wines with greater aromatic complexity and phenolic ripeness. The overall impact was to produce wines with excellent aging potential. Tasted at four years, this wine is nice now, but should steadily improve over the next decade.
Founded in 1874, Markham is one of the Napa Valley pioneers. It has operated continuously since its founding, albeit under different names. It is the fourth-oldest continuously operating winery in Napa County. The present-day winery still uses the stone cellar built in 1879.
Jean Laurent, an immigrant from Bordeaux, arrived in the region in 1852 as part of the California Gold Rush. Laurent’s wines earned acclaim through the 1880s. Laurent died in 1890. A succession of owners operated the winery until Bruce Markham purchased the winery in 1978. Markham consolidated vineyards and increased production from 3,500 cases a year to some 20,000 over the next decade. A US Navy veteran, Markham instituted a tradition of firing a small signal cannon to mark the start of each harvest. The cannon on the label celebrates that tradition.
In 1988, Markham sold his winery to Japanese wine and spirits producer Mercian Corporation. Mercian initiated a four-year, multimillion-dollar renovation, expansion, and replanting program. The efforts more than doubled Markham’s production. In 2019, they became part of Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners, which is owned by the Japanese company Kirin. Kirin units include Kirin Brewery Company, Mercian, and Kirin Beverages. Kirin is a member of the Mitsubishi Group.
Markham Vineyards Merlot Little Cannon Vineyard, Napa Valley 2021 is plush, elegant merlot from an exceptional Oak Knoll AVA vintage. Vivid aromatics and soft tannins and acidity check all the boxes for a marvelous merlot. Luscious easy drinker. Pair with hearty, slow-cooked meats—red meats, lamb, pork; braised short ribs, pot roasts, lamb shanks, beef Wellington. Grilled meats—lamb chops with her butter, grilled pork tenderloin, peppered steak. Wild mushroom risotto, roasted portobello mushrooms, stuffed mushroom caps. Barbecue, pizza. Cheese—aged gouda, brie, camembert, gorgonzola, roquefort, gruyère, comté, aged cheddar, smoked gouda, applewood cheddar. $67
