Winemakers Notes:
This striking portrait was created during Marilyn's first sitting with Milton Greene at the 20th Century Fox portrait studio in Hollywood in 1953. Too risqué to be published at the time, it's an elegant match for the 15th vintage of Marilyn Merlot.
John McKay's winemaker notes seem to reflect the playful eroticism of Marilyn's image: "The 1999 Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The addition of the Franc gives an aromatic complexity and structure to our typically soft and luscious Merlot fruit. Ripe plum and toasted vanilla bean aromas are reflected on the palate by the plump fruit flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate. The grapes are from four vineyards located in the heart of the Napa Valley near Rutherford and Yountville.
