Winemaker Notes
This Merlot is bursting with notes of strawberry rhubarb pie, red plums, mixed berries, milk chocolate and layers of licorice. The palate showcases fine, juicy tannins alongside wild strawberries, raspberry liqueur, chocolate covered cherries, brioche and toasted walnuts. It is supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish.
Blend: 82% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Blueberries, plums, cassis blossoms and violets on the nose following through to a medium body with firm tannins. Structured with crunchy blue fruit at the center and a slightly grippy texture towards the finish. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
A full-bodied and flavorful Merlot, this wine fills the palate with cherries, plums, mixed herbs, and a hint of mint. Palate cleansing tannins and mouthwatering length complete the experience.
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Wine Spectator
Expressive and multilayered, showing handsome flavors of red currant and black cherry highlighted by mocha espresso and vanilla bean details before finishing with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2031.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Whitehall Lane's 2021 Merlot is an attractive and well-priced offering. Scents of pipe tobacco, black cherries, vanilla and cedar appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is nicely rounded and charming, with just enough tannin to give it some spine and length.
Whitehall Lane Winery was founded in 1979, but the history of the soil cultivation dates back two centuries. In the mid 1800's, Napa Valley settlers were drawn to the gravelly-loam soils and ideal climate, planting high quality grape vines at the Whitehall Lane Winery site. A barn constructed in the early 1900's for equipment storage is still used today. In 1979, two brothers started the winery and directed their winemaking efforts successfully to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They named the winery after the road that runs along the southern border of the property, Whitehall Lane.
In 1993, the Leonardini Family purchased the Whitehall Lane Winery estate. They updated the winemaking and barrel-aging program and introduced a scientific approach in the vineyards. The winery now owns seven prime vineyards that are the cornerstone on which the wines are made. They include two vineyards in the St. Helena Appellation, three vineyards (including the winery) in the Rutherford Appellation, one vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley and one vineyard in Sonoma Valley.
In its short history, Whitehall Lane has developed into a world-class winery. The efforts of the Leonardini Family are evident in the run of accolades from wine publications but are even more apparent in their elegant, beautifully made wines.
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.