Winemaker Notes
Thanks to our organic and Biodynamic®farming, the vines remained healthy throughoutthe temperature swings, providing us with fullyripe, flavorful grapes.
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Young and nervy, and entirely within the familial approach, this Merlot from Grgich Hills favors black cherry fruit with a distinct overlay of green herbs. Its firm construction comes with enough flesh and suppleness to be enjoyable now and to promise a more open stance with two to five years of cellaring. It provides clear contrast to the more rounded, succulent style, and it acts more like Cabernet than most Merlot.
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.