2003 | Marilyn Wines | Merlot

Red Wine: 2003 | Marilyn | Merlot

This 19th vintage was produced in Oakville at one of the California’s oldest wineries. The grapes, MELOT (85%) and CABERNET SAUVIGNON (15%), were grown in some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards located in Rutherford, Oakville and Yountville. Royalties paid the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and the Monroe Young Family Center.

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Producer: Nova Wines, Inc.

Vintage: 2003

Size: 750mL

ABV: 13.9%

Varietal: Merlot

Country/Region: United States, Napa Valley

The 2003 Marilyn Merlot grapes were harvested by our longtime growers from vineyards in the heart of the Napa Valley. Sam Shaw, Marilyn’s favorite photographer and a lifelong confidant, shot this photograph of Marilyn. When asked about Sam Shaw, Marilyn said, “He always makes me look my best.

Each bottle is carefully masked, hand etched and hand painted, resulting in a truly unique work of art on this 750mL 2003 Marilyn Merlot. This wine was barrel aged using 30% new wood to enhance the aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee. The fruity aromas and flavors are ripe and soft reflecting the maturity and quality of the grapes we harvested. All the vineyards for this wine are located in the heart of the Napa Valley ranging from the Oak Knoll District to the Rutherford District.
-John McKay, Winemaker

Producer Information

Marilyn Wines is a Napa Valley wine label, best known for Merlot-focused wines with labels themed around the famous American actress Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn wines are produced at the historic Napa Wine Company and are distributed by Nova Wines. Marilyn Wines began as a garage project in St Helena in 1981. The group was producing Merlot and circulating it among friends before the wine was christened Marilyn Merlot and commercially released in 1985. Production has since expanded due to both reception of the wine and the enduring popularity of Monroe. The catalog has a mixture of single-variety and proprietary blends with names all themed around Monroe as well as labels that all carry her image. Some of the most successful include the Marilyn Cabernet, Norma Jeane (Monroe’s given name), Marilyn Blonde de Noirs, Marilyn Meritage and Sauvignon Blonde. Marilyn Wines has an exclusive license with Monroe’s estate to utilize her likeness and name. Historically, new wines are released in conjunction with Monroe’s birthday on June 1. Despite the expanding range, Marilyn Merlot is still the flagship wine. The early vintages, particularly the 1985, have become collectors’ items and have reached super-premium prices. Marilyn Wines has long-term contracts with high-quality Merlot growers including Beckstoffer Vineyards.