Joseph Carr Merlot, Napa County 2012
$22.99 at Crush Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas (AR)
100% Merlot
Fermentation in stainless steel. Barrel-aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new oak
Blackberry, raspberry, plum, black cherry, chocolate, mint, vanilla, and cedar on the nose.
Blackberry, cherry, and spice on the palate. Medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. Long finish.
Joseph Carr founded Joseph Carr Winery in Carneros, California in 2005 to produce elegant Bordeaux-style wines from Napa Valley, Carneros, and the North Coast. A New York State native, Carr decided that, after ten years as a sommelier and a subsequent ten years as a wine industry executive, he would pursue his dream – to make elegant and approachable wines at an affordable price. He has had much success.
A major component to Carr’s success is that he has one of the best winemakers in the world, Aaron Pott. Pott graduated from UC Davis in 1990 and then joined Napa’s Newton Vineyard as assistant winemaker. Two years later with a desire to work in France, Pott asked Michel Rolland, Newton’s consultant at the time, to help him find a position. Soon Pott was working at Premier Grand Cru Classe Chateau Troplong-Mondot in St. Emillion, Bordeaux. During his six-year stay in France, he earned a master degree in viticulature at the Universite de Bourgogne in Dijon. In 1994, he joined the Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux producer, Chateau la Tour Figeac. He returned to the U.S. in 1998 to become a “flying winemaker” for Beringer. During that time he made wines in Italy, France, and Chile.
In 2004, Pott joined Quintessa Estate as head winemaker and general manager until his departure in 2007. He then started, along with his wife Claire, Pott Wine located on Mount Veeder. Through the years, he has been the consultant to several notable wineries such as, St. Clement, Bello Family Vineyards, Blackbird, Fisher Vineyards, Jericho Canyon, Perliss, V22, Quixote, Seven Stones, Stagecoach Vineyard, Greer Wines, Martin Estate, and St. Helena Winery. His wines consistently receive ratings 90 points and above from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator.
Me with Aaron Pott at Seven Stones