WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Merryvale Merlot is an occasion to showcase some of the best cool climate terroirs of Napa Valley. The fruit is drawn from the volcanic soils of Coombsville and Carneros in southern Napa where Merlot is at its best—soft, dark, spicy and fragrant. The wine opens with notes of raspberries, violets and spice; the fragrance is very true to the varietal with tones of blackberries and flowers. The mouth shows great freshness and soft tannins, showcasing this beautiful, cool climate Merlot with a great drinkability. The wine is incredibly soft and pretty, the beautiful acid component in it will provide great aging potential, yet it drinks very well now. It is a very gentle style of Merlot with a lot of character and drinkability—a great food wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Rich and well-structured flavors of dark plum and cherry tart are backed by fresh acidity. Dark chocolate and wild spice notes come in on the ripe finish.
- Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
Ripe plums, chocolate and orange-peel with some savory, black-olive and root-vegetable notes. It’s medium-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and fresh acidity. Flavorful with bitter cocoa on the finish.
- James Suckling, 92 pts.
The 2018 Merlot (there's a splash of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon) has a lively, attractive nose of ripe blue and black fruits as well as plenty of chocolate and leafy herb-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, this is a rock-solid, undeniably delicious Merlot that's going to drink well for 5-7 years or so.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 90 pts.
