Emmolo Merlot 2012

  • 95 Wilfred
    Wong
  • 92 Robert
    Parker
  • 92 Tasting
    Panel
  • 91 James
    Suckling
4.4 Very Good (17)
2020 Vintage In Stock
59 99
OFFER 10% off your order of $99+
Ships Tomorrow
You purchased the 2018 3/6/24
1
Limit Reached
You purchased the 2018 3/6/24
Alert me about new vintages and availability
Emmolo Merlot 2012 Front Bottle Shot
Emmolo Merlot 2012 Front Bottle Shot Emmolo Merlot 2012 Front Label Emmolo Merlot 2012 Back Bottle Shot

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2012

Size
750ML

ABV
14.9%

Your Rating

0.0 Not For Me NaN/NaN/N

Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

This well-balanced and darkly colored wine evokes the scents of saddle leather, coffee and plum, with traces of smokiness amidst its rich fruit. A smooth entry on the palate leads into ripe flavors of plums, prunes and cocoa, balanced by acidity and a grippy tannin character. On the finish: a harmony of fresh earthiness, smoky notes and cocoa's lingering, inviting warmth.

Production and Style
Merlot is a variety that requires hands-on manipulation in the vineyard to make a rich, concentrated wine. Crop thinning throughout the growing season leads to a low yield of rich, concentrated fruit. Grapes are sourced from Emmolo Oak Knoll, which includes two vineyards, one of which my grandfather Frank Emmolo purchased in 1972. On an average summer day, Oak Knoll is about 7 degrees cooler than Rutherford, allowing for a longer "hang time" than in warmer areas, which means that we can push the grapes to full ripeness. Harvest came in early to mid-October, and the combination of cooler weather, crop thinning and gravely light soil created ideal conditions for producing a rich,distinctive Merlot.

Professional Ratings

  • 95
    One of California's hidden treasures? Perhaps once, but when you carefully release the genie from the bottle, you will find yourself taken on a magic carpet ride. The 2012 Emmolo Merlot is as solid as they come and of California's top wine of the year! Medium garnet red color, may a hint darker (Is the wine blushing because it so good?) Aromas of red fruit and sweet dust waif into the air the best aromas from the Right Bank of Bordeaux or the Walla Walla Valley region of Washington State. But, wait, this one is from the fine sub-appellation, near the city of Napa, called Oak Knoll; on the palate, the wine is stands tall and fine, red fruits, with a gentle note of leather persist as the wine's softness completes the palate's journey. Don't let the wine's pillowy textures fool you, this wine will gain complexity with time. Drinking well now and will gracefully improve over the next half-a-dozen years. (Tasted: April 23, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
  • 92
    Although this winery has been around since 1944, I am unfamiliar with its wines. Packaged in an interesting bottle with a label sporting green ink, this 2012 Merlot is made in an explosively rich, blockbuster style. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by oodles of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit intertwined with hints of espresso and chocolate. Full-bodied and super-rich, but not overly extracted or astringent, this beautifully made, full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal Merlot should win the hearts and minds of many California wine enthusiasts. It is the complete package – from aromatics to an impressive entry, a full, savory mid-palate, and a long finish. Kudos to producer Jenny Wagner.
  • 92
    From Jenny Wagner of the Caymus Wagners; dark and rich with smooth texture and lovely, mellow notes of spice, chocolate and plum.
  • 91
    This is a very fruity red with plum, berry and lots of earth. Hints of wood too. Full body, round texture and a juicy finish. Fruit-forward and fun. Drink now.

Other Vintages

2020
  • 90 Wilfred
    Wong
2018
  • 92 Wilfred
    Wong
2017
  • 90 Wilfred
    Wong
2016
  • 91 Wilfred
    Wong
2015
  • 91 Wilfred
    Wong
2013
  • 92 Wilfred
    Wong
  • 90 James
    Suckling
2011
  • 93 James
    Suckling
Emmolo

Emmolo

View all products
Emmolo, California
Emmolo Napa Valley Winery Image

Emmolo Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wine each feature a distinct style created by Owner/Winemaker Jenny Wagner, who embraces new techniques in both the vineyard and her winemaking. Emmolo is named for Jenny’s maternal relatives, who came to Napa from Sicily in 1923 and founded a rootstock nursery that supplied many of the region’s growers. Their land still provides many of the grapes for Emmolo.


On the paternal side, Jenny’s roots trace back to 1857, when her third great-grandfather captained a wagon train to Napa Valley, beginning a long history of farming and winemaking. In 1972, Jenny’s father, Chuck Wagner, founded Caymus Vineyards along with her grandparents, Lorna and Charlie Wagner Sr. Jenny feels extremely fortunate to be following in her family’s footsteps and to be putting her own mark on Emmolo wines.

Image for  content section
View all products
Image for Napa Valley Merlot content section
View all products

As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.

Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.

SWS352530_2012 Item# 133988

Internet Explorer is no longer supported.
Please use a different browser like Edge, Chrome or Firefox to enjoy all that Wine.com has to offer.

It's easy to make the switch.
Enjoy better browsing and increased security.

Yes, Update Now

Search for ""