Winemaker Notes
This lush and alluring Merlot draws you in with aromas of ripe blueberry, raspberry jam, chocolate truffles and toasty barrel spice. On the palate it is silky and full-bodied, with a robust texture that frames the luxurious dark berry flavors as they glide to a long blackberry pie and cracked pepper finish.
Blend: 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A nicely structured and full-bodied wine that has good heft for a merlot. It shows a nice combination of red cherries, dark cherries and light savory, smoky accents. Moderate tannins add some texture and help the overall balance.
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and generous, with polished flavors of raspberry and cherry highlighted by grilled herb tones that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2030. 40,000 cases made.
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.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.