Winemaker Notes
Ruby red in the glass, this silky wine opens with notes of raspberry, spice and dried herbs of anise and eucalyptus. On the palate the wine is full bodied with plenty of depth and persistent tannins surrounded by dark black current, briar and espresso bean flavors. Fresh acidity keeps the palate balanced and fresh. All this is surrounded by fine-grain tannins that complement the fruit forward, juicy mouthfeel.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ripe juicy plums and crushed blackberries with hints of coffee, dark chocolate and toasted cedar on offer. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy texture and fine tannins. Still restrained and slightly tight, yet it has succulent dark and blue fruit underneath.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.