Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Acre Merlot is a deep purple-tinged ruby in color. From the first pour, it opens up with enticingly bold aromas of summer fruit, including black cherries, ripe strawberries, and dark plums, which carry over subtly in the mouth. On the palate, the bright acidity and textured tannins support layers of spice, dried herbs, cocoa beans, leather, and cedar, which lead to a lengthy, complex finish that takes its time to unfold. While the 2018 Merlot drinks beautifully in its youth, the robust structure also makes it a perfect candidate for cellaring.
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.