Kitchak Cellars
2010 Merlot
"Silverado Bench Symphony"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 16 | Lot No. 3
Vintage: 2010
Kitchak Cellars
Merlot
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Description
“Yea, though I walk through the Valley of Napa, I fear no Cabernet, for I am the densest, darkest, most supple Merlot in the valley.”
We use Merlot to make a Bordeaux-style blend, but have never made a Merlot—until now. The grapes for this lot come from the three-acre M Block of our vineyard on the Silverado Bench. The vines are more than 20 years old and we treat each as a separate entity. Grapes are individually sorted, then cold soaked. Following fermentation the wine underwent extended maceration and aging in French oak, resulting in a wine that will be approachable on release, but will improve for 15 years.
We made this wine for Premiere because we are convinced that we, and others in Napa Valley, can make Merlots that rival the Right Bank’s best.
Wine Facts
- pH: 3.73000
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Peter Kitchak
Winemaker, Kitchak Cellars
Started in 2005,with tremendous help from our consultant, Kian Tavakoli, former director of winemaking at Crushpad. Initially made wine at Crushpad and obtained our own winery permit in 2010. Now making approximately 1,200 cases of ultra-premium wines per year. In 2006, we purchased a Napa Valley vineyard. We constructed our winery and produced the first estate-grown and bottled wine at the winery in 2010.
Country born: United States
Education: U.C. Davis Extension Winemaking and Viticulture Certificate
Years in the wine industry: 7 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Napa Valley grapes are the best in the world and it is our job as winemakers to let the wines reflect our extraordinary terroir and take all of the steps necessary to insure that the wines we produce are indeed the best in the world.
San Francisco 49ers / Levy
4949 Marie P. DeBartolo Way
Santa Clara CA 95054-1229
408-562-4925
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from San Francisco 49ers / Levy:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10th Anniversary Bottling | 27 (2023) |
| Chaix Wines | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 27 (2023) | |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 25 (2021) | |
| Angwin Estate Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 24 (2020) | |
| Hesperian Wines | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Kitoko Vineyard | 24 (2020) |
| High Dive Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | La Quebrada | 23 (2019) |
| Ideology Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Cento | 22 (2018) |
| JAX Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 (2018) | |
| Switchback Ridge | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Anniversary Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Hertelendy Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Leaf And Vine | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 21 (2017) | |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 21 (2017) |
| Vineyard {511} | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 21 (2017) | |
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 20 (2016) | |
| Taplin Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Ethel Lewelling Taplin | 20 (2016) |
| Ancien Wines | 2013 | Pinot Noir | Coombsville | Haynes Old Block | 19 (2015) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Boulders, Barrels and Bruises | 19 (2015) |
| Mi Sueño Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Seleccion Herrera | 18 (2014) |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Grigsby Vineyard Row 57 Old Vines | 18 (2014) |
| Croze | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 (2013) | |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 17 (2013) |
| Bennett Lane | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 16 (2012) | |
| Howell at the Moon | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Knoll Vineyard | 16 (2012) |
| Kitchak Cellars | 2010 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Silverado Bench Symphony | 16 (2012) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | First Born | 15 (2011) |
| Boeschen Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 15 (2011) | |
| Davies Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Jack's Block, 96 Vines | 14 (2010) |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Napa Valley Cuvee | 14 (2010) |
| Frazier Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Ahnfeldt Wines | 2005 | Proprietary Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo | 11 (2007) |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Proprietary Blend | 11 (2007) |
| Benessere | 2004 | Aglianico | St. Helena | 10 (2006) | |
| Bourassa Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Rockledge Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 9 (2005) | |
| Bennett Lane | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon Blend | Napa Valley | 8 (2004) | |
| Vinoce | 2003 | Merlot | Mt. Veeder | Block 6 | 8 (2004) |
Winery Distribution
Kitchak Cellars is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.